100 Years of Kindergarten, Celebrated through Art
NZ Kindergartens Board Chair Venus Sood-Guy presents the winning Waimea Kindergarten artwork, 100 Years of Growing Together, to Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, while Dr Richard Davies receives another artwork from the NZ Kindergartens 100-year celebration.
To celebrate 100 years of kindergarten in Aotearoa, NZ Kindergartens invited kindergarten associations around the country to be part of a special centenary celebration in Wellington. We invited our kindergartens to create an artwork that captured what 100 years of kindergarten means to them, with the winning artwork chosen to represent Nelson Tasman Kindergartens at the centenary celebrations.
Four of our kindergartens (Nelson Central, Motueka, Murchison and Waimea Kindergartens) took part, and we were treated to four very different and very special pieces of art. With everyone having a say, Waimea Kindergarten's 100 Years of Growing Together was selected as our winning artwork and chosen to make the trip to Wellington.
And what a place for it to end up!
The artwork was presented to Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, at the NZ Kindergartens Centenary Reception at Government House in Wellington. Another artwork from the national celebration was presented to Dame Cindy's husband, Dr Richard Davies, so we were certainly in good company!
We're incredibly proud to have had a piece of Nelson Tasman Kindergarten artwork represented at such a special occasion, and even more proud of the tamariki and kaiako who brought all four of these artworks to life.
100 Years of Growing Together | Waimea Kindergarten
Waimea Kindergarten’s winning artwork tells the story of kindergarten across generations through a strong, growing tree.
The roots acknowledge Ngā Tūpuna (our ancestors), its trunk represents Ngā Tangata (our people today), and its branches reach towards Ngā Uri (future generations), recognising the enduring legacy of early childhood education. Around the tree is a colourful woven background created by the tamariki, representing whānau, tamariki and the wider community. Inspired by the woven whāriki of Te Whāriki, it reflects how each person contributes to the strength and richness of the whole. A shimmering gold thread runs through the tree, representing kaiako and the relationships they nurture, connecting people and generations through care, guidance and aroha. The leaves carry values including Whānau, Aroha, Ako, Whakapapa, Kotahitanga and Manaakitanga, honouring the values that shape the kindergarten community.
Together, the artwork celebrates where kindergarten has come from, where we are today, and the generations still to come.
Wāiti | Nelson Central Kindergarten
Nelson Central Kindergarten’s artwork follows a tuna as it travels through a swirling awa. The journey of the tuna became a way to think about the journey of childhood, being nurtured and supported at kindergarten before heading off to kura and into new adventures.
The flowing awa represents the ever-changing path of learning, with whānau, friendships, culture and relationships helping to shape each tamaiti along the way. While every journey is unique, tamariki carry with them the experiences, connections and foundations built during their time at kindergarten. Tamariki created the artwork together using collage, filling the awa with colour, texture and movement.
It’s a celebration of belonging, growth, identity and new beginnings, and a reminder that while tamariki may travel far, the love, values and connections they build here remain part of who they are.
Tō Tātou Wāhi | Murchison Kindergarten
Murchison Kindergarten’s artwork celebrates the place they call home, the rivers, mountains, native bush, wildlife and incredible natural environment that surrounds their community.
Tamariki worked together with natural and recycled materials, sorting, arranging and creating the design themselves. Their ideas shaped the final artwork, giving them a strong sense of ownership and pride in what they created. As they worked, tamariki shared stories about their favourite places and the things they love doing with their whānau, from exploring the bush and climbing trees to swimming in the rivers during summer.
The artwork is a celebration of place, belonging and connection to the natural world, reflecting the deep relationship tamariki have with the environment around them and the community they call home.
Huriawa | Motueka Kindergarten
Motueka Kindergarten’s artwork brings Huriawa, the Kaitiaki taniwha of the local waterways, to life.
At the centre is Huriawa, the kaitiaki of our awa who now resides at the wahi tapu (sacred) Waikoropupu Springs. Huriawa’s flowing form reflects her connection to the waterways she protects, while the koru within the awa represent growth, new life and continuous change. Pakohe, a precious stone found in the Motueka awa and valued for its strength, is also represented, connecting the artwork to the history and identity of the local area. Tamariki explored the stories of Huriawa and shared their own ideas about how she might look and protect the awa. They then brought the artwork together using paint, wool, sand and other materials, with every element reflecting their connection to the place they call home.
The result is a colourful celebration of kaitiakitanga, local identity, belonging and connection to the awa.
Four Artworks, Four Stories
With four amazing artworks, it was hard to choose just one. Each kindergarten brought something completely different to the theme, reflecting the people, places, relationships and stories that make their communities special. So rather than a judging panel, NTK staff and all kindergartens casted their vote of what piece they thought to be presented at the celebration.
We're delighted that Waimea's 100 Years of Growing Together was chosen to represent us in Wellington, and that all four artworks gave us a chance to celebrate the creativity and ideas of our tamariki.
100 years of kindergarten, four very special stories, and plenty more growing together to come.
Take a closer look: Click on any of the artworks in the gallery to view it larger.
