25 May, 2026

Schools take chance to shine ahead of Matariki

Star quality… Vauxhall School Year 6 pupils (from left) Emma Maritz (11), Ella Tapsell and Blake Hogarth (both 10) with an image created for Matariki

Nine Devonport peninsula schools are each creating images of a star from the Matariki constellation for public display during the upcoming season of renewal and remembrance.
They will be displayed at the Rose Centre in Belmont during June and July, with copies also on show in Devonport shop windows as the focus of an annual “star search” competition run by the Devonport Business Association (DBA).
“Instead of getting a designer to design them, the schools are,” said council’s community connector Jo Holsted.

She credited Narrow Neck local Terehia Walker with driving the art project, after schools at a Haka Up event at Windsor Reserve last year gathered under banners representing the Matariki stars.
The DBA competition running from 8 June to 8 July offers a $300 shopping voucher to the star search winner. Entry forms will be available from Devonport Library.
Hauraki, Belmont, Bayswater, Devonport, Vauxhall, Stanley Bay and St Leo’s primary schools, Belmont Intermediate and Youth Forum members from Takapuna Grammar School are involved in the project.
Devonport Matariki events begin at 5pm on 1 June with the Te Hau Kapua community haka group performing at the band rotunda.
Other events include a hikoi up Takarunga, community hangi and workshops.