Whakamānawa – Design a Whetū (Star)

Colourful geometric whetū (star) designs arranged in a grid, featuring bold shapes and textured patterns for Whakamanawa Design a Whetū (star).

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Puanga
Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki

Mark the past season, as Puanga heralds the new
Mark the past season, as Matariki brings the new

Design a whetū (star) inspired by one of the nine Matariki whetū and Puanga, using the template provided.

Selected artworks will be displayed publicly during the Puanga Matariki Festival.

Each whetū has its own theme and we'd love to see that theme reflected in your artwork.

Please keep your design bright and simple so it stands out against the night sky.

Selected designs will be displayed throughout the Puanga Matariki Festival on the external wall of the Whangārei Central Library on Lovers Lane, Te Ara Hīkoi ki Kauika, Rust Avenue.

Whetū and their themes

Matariki:: the whetū matua (central star), often regarded the mother star in the constellation.
Pōhutukawa:: dedicated to remembering those who have passed away over the past year.
Tupuānuku:: food and bounty cultivated within the soil.
Tupuārangi:: food that comes from above the ground, including game bird, fruits, and berries.
Waitī:: freshwater and the food sources within it.
Waitā:: the ocean and the food sources gathered from it.
Waipunarangi:: rain and the life-giving waters that nourish the land.
Ururangi:: the winds, indicating conditions for the coming year.
Hiwaiterangi / Hiwa:: the youngest whetū in the cluster, representing hopes and aspirations, where wishes for the year ahead are sent.
Puanga:: a significant whetū (Rigel) used by inland and west coast regions where Matariki is not immediately visible.

Conditions

We may not be able to display all submitted designs due to limited capacity.
Edits may be made by us, to improve the quality of the projected image.
We cannot return all artwork submitted so please make sure to keep a copy of your work before dropping it off.
No age limit – open to everyone!
All artwork must be the artist's original work. Use of generative AI or copyrighted material is not permitted.

Design submissions closed on 1 June 2026.