Seven-year-old Corinna School pupil Amayah Talo has had her artwork turned into a limited-edition library card for Cannons Creek’s new library, Ngā Kete Mātauranga.
Her colourful drawing was selected as the overall winner of a competition that attracted 50 entries, giving one young eastern Porirua artist’s work a place in the hands of library users.
The design features bright yellow and orange buildings with blue windows, set beneath green stars against a dark blue background. It is now printed on the card available to new members and those replacing a lost one.
The competition was organised to celebrate the new library’s opening and invited pupils aged five to 18 at eastern Porirua schools to contribute artwork. It had three age groups: five to seven, eight to 12, and 13 to 18.
Entries came from Corinna School and Cannons Creek School. The council said many of the designs drew on the people and places of eastern Porirua, giving the new library a collection of artworks created by the children it serves.
Winners in each age category received packs of books selected by librarians. Amayah, who attends Corinna School, was chosen as the overall winner.
Asked what she likes about visiting Ngā Kete Mātauranga, Amayah said: “It’s so big and it’s awesome. I like being a part of the Library Avengers programme.”
The competition has also left a place for the other entrants inside the building. All the submitted designs are being displayed on screens at the library, where families and visitors can see the full collection.
Ngā Kete Mātauranga opened on 28 September at Bedford Reserve, next to Cannons Creek Pool. It replaced the previous library on Warspite Avenue, which had been found to have too little seating and space for studying.
The new building has more room for reading and community activities, with cultural design elements reflecting Ngāti Toa and the eastern Porirua environment. Ngāti Toa kaumātua Dr Taku Parai blessed the library before it opened and gifted its name, meaning “baskets of knowledge”.
Porirua City Council says the new space is already drawing more visitors. City Libraries manager Brian Anderson reported that average daily foot traffic had increased from 50 to 200 since the opening.
Amayah’s limited-edition card is available at Cannons Creek Library and City Centre Library, both for new memberships and as a replacement card.
