09 Ag Art Wear 'Landcare Award'

Once again the Ag Art Wear Awards have proven to be very popular with visitors to this year’s National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek. The impressive catwalk show ran twice a day in the Spantech Pavilion throughout the four day event, with final judging and presentations taking place on Friday 12^th June. NZ Landcare Trust continued our sponsorship of the Landcare Section, with Monica Peters taking responsibility for judging and presenting the awards.

This year’s winning garment in the Landcare Section was ‘Te Ohaki O Nga Tupuna’ designed and constructed by ‘Nga Putiputu o Te Roopu Raranga’. Judges were impressed by the high quality of all the garments in this year’s show but conceded the striking appearance of this entry gave it an additional ‘wow factor’. Monica Peters added “this garment was beautifully constructed with wonderful, detailed carvings that gave an additional dimension to the work”. The design was based on a waka and earned the designer $1,800 worth of prizes. Second place went to a design entitled ‘Harm-Money’, with third taken by ‘Piupiu – Maiden of the Environment’.

This fashion show offers NZ Landcare Trust a wonderful platform to promote awareness of New Zealand’s native flora and fauna. During the presentation ceremony Monica Peters stated, “Many of the plants and animals found in New Zealand are not found anywhere else in the world, this award is a celebration of our unique natural heritage”.

NZ Landcare Trust will continue to support Ag Art Wear next year. Initial planning includes inspirational workshops that will aim to encourage potential designers to consider a range of potential native materials. 

Winning entry in the 'Landcare Section' of the 2009 Ag Art Wear Awards - 'Te Ohaki O Nga Tupuna’ designed and constructed by ‘Nga Putiputu o Te Roopu Raranga'.