“Teamwork makes the dream work,” as our kids often say, and the KaraWearable Team, together with a diversely talented team of local volunteers, created a dream on Saturday May 30, 2026, at the Karamea Pulse Energy Centre with a spectacular show of local imagination, creativity and design skills that was the 4th consecutive annual KaraWearable Art Show.
This year’s theme was “Into the Deep” and most of the creations displayed on the catwalk drew inspiration from the creatures, colours and beauty of our oceans, rivers and lakes. A total of 35 entrants, this year 20% of which were from outside our district, worked much of the year to craft clever outfits that could be worn by models on the gala night and the audience at the sold-out event were regaled by the inventiveness and originality of the designs and the professionalism of the models.
Students from Karamea Area School and children from designed costumes and learned how to present their creations on the big stage, and they delighted the crowd and warmed up the catwalk for the adult section in the second half of the show. School teachers, farmers’ wives, nurses, mothers, retirees, and people from all walks of life, people who are normally not devoted to artistic pursuits, relished the opportunity provided by the event to flex their creative brain muscles and fertile imaginations, draw on less common contemporary skills like sewing, crochet, paper mâché and sculpting. The designers used found objects, refuse, repurposed materials and the abundance of natural fibres, plants, shells, wood and stones readily available in our special area to express feelings, emotions, life experiences, history, humour, social issues and thoughts that prevail in our daily lives to showcase them on an outfit with vibrant colours, artistic flair, grace and style.
“Crafty Coral” by the Kowhai Class at Karamea Area School won 1st Prize in the Youth Category. The outfit was created by the students under the inspiring tutelage of class teacher Miss Hannah Lawson. The outfit was modelled by student Wren Walker. The class were learning about coral reefs, and they used all sorts of materials, including painted pasta, to create their winning entry.
“Crafty Coral,” designed by Miss Hannah and Karamea Area School’s Kowhai Class and modelled by Wren Walker. (Photo by Dan Murton)
The adult portion of the show began with the display of an award-winning outfit by recent Karamea arrival, Renate Jamieson, titled “Bang, Bang,” which won First Prize at the Salt Festival in Port Lincoln, South Australia, in 2025. The piece was professionally modelled by senior Karamea Area School student Quillyn O’Dwyer, and it spoke to the important social issue of domestic violence and abuse. It was made of thousands of pieces of folded paper and took Ms Jamieson 650 hours to assemble. While the outfit was not eligible for an award on the night, it showed how creativity can be utilised as social commentary and to raise awareness and provoke thought about a challenging issue that affects so many and urgently needs public understanding and attention.
“Bang, Bang” designed by Renate Jamieson and modelled by Quillyn O’Dwyer (Photo by Dan Murton)
The winning entry in the adult category was a giant weta with an exoskeleton crafted from copper by German artisan Chris Seufert, the very creative Sacha Healy and their trusty assistant Ekkehard Unger and expertly modelled by Sacha Healy.
“Wētāpunga: The God of Ugly Things” by Chris Seufert, Sacha Healy and Ekkehard Ungerand modelled by Sacha Healy (Photo by Dan Murton) “Wētāpunga: The God of Ugly Things” by Chris Seufert, Sacha Healy and Ekkehard Ungerand modelled by Sacha Healy (Photo by Jade McLeod)“Wētāpunga: The God of Ugly Things” by Chris Seufert, Sacha Healy and Ekkehard Ungerand modelled by Sacha Healy (Photo by Dan Murton)
For many months, as I walked our dog “Kawa” around the Karamea Estuary Walkway, I would stroll past Chris’ house and hear industrious metallic banging being emitted from his shed, and lots of laughter, accompanied by Frank Zappa music and wondering, “What are they building in there?” I knew better than to ask and managed to suppress my curiosity to be completely overwhelmed on show night by the incredible creation they presented. With the likeness of a real weta, completed with long, thin harakeke flax flower stems for its legs and antennae, their entry was a stand-out winner among tough competition on the night.
The weta was accompanied by a poem that described the creation and the motivation behind it well:
Wētāpunga: The God of Ugly Things
Into the deep, into the murk, Into the darkness where ugly things lurk- Light up your courage, Breathe life from it’s sparks, Transmogrify fear into luminous art!
Wētāpunga was so life-like, it scared the children sitting at the front of the stage. The creation will be on display in window of the old Global Gypsy Gallery, opposite the Karamea 4-Square supermarket. This entry raised the already high bar set by the KaraWearable event, so go and check it out and be inspired to create your own piece for the next show.
Second place in the Adult Category went to Mary Bell and her son Sam, who designed, crafted, and modelled a creation titled “Mutating Microbes.” The mother and son team are from over the hills in Granity, one of the entries from outside of the Karamea region. Mary has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Karawearable show over the years and a great wearable artist…Congratulations, Mary and Sam, thanks for being big part of the show.
“Mutating Microbes” explores the resilience of life beyond humanity. Inspired by prehistoric organisms and the hidden microscopic world, the work imagines microbes evolving and adapting into new forms in Earth’s future. Through mutation and metamorphosis, the creations reflect on nature’s capacity to endure in the deepest reaches of time, darkness, and transformation. So the work is less about the depth of the ocean, but about the deep, unseen processes of evolution and the enduring power of life to adapt long after human influence has faded.
“Mutating Microbes” designed and modelled by Mary Bell and son Sam from Granity. (Photo by Dan Murton)
A hat titled “Fishervessence,” designed and modelled by Patricia August, also from Granity, took out the “Best Accessory” award. Her creation was made from papier-mâché and “bits and pieces” and cleverly lit with LED lights.
“Fishervessence,” designed and modelled by Patricia August, from Granity. (photo by Dan Murton)
The “People’s Choice Awards” are always a popular feature of the show. Audience members can vote for their favourite entry and their votes are collected from the crowd by runners who take them backstage to be counted. This year’s people’s choice for the Youth Section went to designer Diva Murray with “Tetra,” which was beautifully modelled by her friend Eva McGrath.
As Diva’s father, I can hardly believe she managed to finish her creation, as two days before the show, the outfit was lying on her bedroom floor in a series of seemingly irreconcilable bits. With teenage confidence, she assured me that she knew what she was doing, and true to her word, she nailed it (or more accurately sewed it).
“Tetra”designed by Diva Murray and modelled by Eva McGrath (Photo by Dan Murton)
After the Youth portion of the show was completed, it was suppertime and the hungry crowd were treated to a sumptuous spread of gourmet treats by Vinnie Dunford, the Master Chef at the world famous (in Karamea) “Vinnies Cafe.”
Opulent repast from Vinnies Cafe in Karamea prepared by local culinary aficionadoVinnie Dunford. (Photo by Dan Murton)
The Adult Section winner of the “People’s Choice Award” was “Curiosities of the Coral Reef,” which was designed and modelled by the very clever Tina Wylie. Her incredibly intricate design also featured a good dose of humour. To the Dean Martin song “That’s Amore,” a comical moray eel would emerge from the outfit, smile and acknowledge the crowd. It was a very memorable performance, so much so that many who saw it, including myself, have had that song in our heads for days after the show!
“Curiosities of the Coral Reef” designed and modelled by Tina Wylie (Photo by Dan Murton)
After the adults had strutted their stuff, and while the judges were deliberating, local acrobat Lydia Bee took to the stage and wowed the audience with an incredibly flexible and seemingly death-defying aerial performance high under a steel pyramid, swinging from thick silk ropes. Amazing performance Lydia, thank you.
Acrobat Lydia Bee entertains the audience at the 2026 Karawearable Show. (Photo by Dan Murton)
To all the team, everyone involved to make this dream work, thank you, Thank you to the organizing committee who worked tirelessly and doggedly all year to bring this awesome event together, thanks to the creative people who designed, crafted and modeled the outfits, the school staff, teachers, hall management team, bar staff, cleaners, backstage helpers, judges, make-up artists, photographers, sponsors, promoters, sound engineers, lighting technicians, caterers, graphic designers, printers, ticket sellers, Clean Streams Karamea for the plants to decorate the hall, scaffolders, the MC, the acrobat, all the volunteers who helped set up and take down the stage, chairs, carpets etc for the show…It is always amazing to see how the Karamea community rallies around to contribute and assist, thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and skills and finally, thank you to the audience who came and clapped and cheered and supported the carnival of creativity and made it all well worth the effort.
A special mention needs to be made to the organising team of Sanae Murray, Cathy Sampson, Liz Kerslake, Bridie Young and Ange Cronin thank you team for a magnificent effort. Judges Anita Halsall, Alison Hale and Ruth Vaega, all artists themselves, took on the tough job of deliberation and eventually deciding the winning entries in each category in a very tight competition. Thanks for your important contribution ladies. Master of Ceremonies, the vivacious Jessie Creedmore, got the show on the road and kept it rolling along all night, well played Jessie. To all the creators, designers, artisans and models who made the show a show…Brilliant work. Thank you again for making the night magical.
In the era of social media, digital screens, computer games and artificial intelligence, it is more important than ever that we inspire our children and encourage them to use their imaginations and demonstrate that artistic expression is gratifying, a productive pursuit and essential for human prosperity and the enjoyment of life. Well done all concerned, all of Karamea is bigger and better because of your collective efforts and dedication….Can we do it again in 2027? Of course we can!
Category Winners
Youth 1st Place – Prize sponsor: S M Lowe Contracting Title: Crafty Coral Designer: Kowhai Class Model: Wren Walker
Youth 2nd Place – Prize sponsor: S M Lowe Contracting Title: Magic Mermaid Designer: Lulu & Linda Brownie Models: Lulu Brownie & Chris Lowe
Best Accessory – Prize sponsor: Little Wanganui Pub Title: Fishervessence Designer: Patricia August Model: Patricia August
Adult 1st Place – Prize sponsor: Property Brokers Karamea Title: Wētāpunga – The God of Ugly Things Designers: Chris Seufert, Sacha Healey and Ekkehard Unger Model: Sacha Healey
Adult 2nd Place – Prize sponsor: Karamea Village Hotel Title: Mutating Microbes Designer: Mary Bell Models: Mary & Sam
Adult People’s Choice – Prize sponsors: Mitre 10 Westport & Property Brokers Title: Curiosities of the Coral Reef Designer: Tina Wylie Model: Tina Wylie
KaraWearable Art Show Photos by Dan Murton
KaraWearbale Art Show Photos by Jade McLeod
Category Winners
Youth 1st Place – Prize sponsor: S M Lowe Contracting Title:Crafty Coral Designer: Kowhai Class Model: Wren Walker
Youth 2nd Place – Prize sponsor: S M Lowe Contracting Title: Magic Mermaid Designer: Lulu & Linda Brownie Models: Lulu Brownie & Chris Lowe
Best Accessory – Prize sponsor: Little Wanganui Pub Title: Fishervessence Designer: Patricia August Model: Patricia August
Adult 1st Place – Prize sponsor: Property Brokers Karamea Title: Wētāpunga – The God of Ugly Things Designers: Chris Seufert, Sacha Healey and Ekkehard Unger Model: Sacha Healey
Adult 2nd Place – Prize sponsor: Karamea Village Hotel Title: Mutating Microbes Designer: Mary Bell Models: Mary & Sam
Adult People’s Choice – Prize sponsors: Mitre 10 Westport & Property Brokers Title: Curiosities of the Coral Reef Designer: Tina Wylie Model: Tina Wylie
Paul Murray is the founder of the LivinginPeace Project.
www.livinginpeace.com
Paul originally from Australia, but have been living in New Zealand for 14 years. Before that he was in Japan for a decade working as a journalist. He met his wife Sanae in Japan and they married in 2008.
The Rongolian Star 
KaraWearable 2026: They Did it AGAIN!
Off the Top of My Head
By Paul Murray
“Teamwork makes the dream work,” as our kids often say, and the KaraWearable Team, together with a diversely talented team of local volunteers, created a dream on Saturday May 30, 2026, at the Karamea Pulse Energy Centre with a spectacular show of local imagination, creativity and design skills that was the 4th consecutive annual KaraWearable Art Show.
This year’s theme was “Into the Deep” and most of the creations displayed on the catwalk drew inspiration from the creatures, colours and beauty of our oceans, rivers and lakes. A total of 35 entrants, this year 20% of which were from outside our district, worked much of the year to craft clever outfits that could be worn by models on the gala night and the audience at the sold-out event were regaled by the inventiveness and originality of the designs and the professionalism of the models.
Students from Karamea Area School and children from designed costumes and learned how to present their creations on the big stage, and they delighted the crowd and warmed up the catwalk for the adult section in the second half of the show. School teachers, farmers’ wives, nurses, mothers, retirees, and people from all walks of life, people who are normally not devoted to artistic pursuits, relished the opportunity provided by the event to flex their creative brain muscles and fertile imaginations, draw on less common contemporary skills like sewing, crochet, paper mâché and sculpting. The designers used found objects, refuse, repurposed materials and the abundance of natural fibres, plants, shells, wood and stones readily available in our special area to express feelings, emotions, life experiences, history, humour, social issues and thoughts that prevail in our daily lives to showcase them on an outfit with vibrant colours, artistic flair, grace and style.
“Crafty Coral” by the Kowhai Class at Karamea Area School won 1st Prize in the Youth Category. The outfit was created by the students under the inspiring tutelage of class teacher Miss Hannah Lawson. The outfit was modelled by student Wren Walker. The class were learning about coral reefs, and they used all sorts of materials, including painted pasta, to create their winning entry.
The adult portion of the show began with the display of an award-winning outfit by recent Karamea arrival, Renate Jamieson, titled “Bang, Bang,” which won First Prize at the Salt Festival in Port Lincoln, South Australia, in 2025. The piece was professionally modelled by senior Karamea Area School student Quillyn O’Dwyer, and it spoke to the important social issue of domestic violence and abuse. It was made of thousands of pieces of folded paper and took Ms Jamieson 650 hours to assemble. While the outfit was not eligible for an award on the night, it showed how creativity can be utilised as social commentary and to raise awareness and provoke thought about a challenging issue that affects so many and urgently needs public understanding and attention.
The winning entry in the adult category was a giant weta with an exoskeleton crafted from copper by German artisan Chris Seufert, the very creative Sacha Healy and their trusty assistant Ekkehard Unger and expertly modelled by Sacha Healy.
“Wētāpunga: The God of Ugly Things” by Chris Seufert, Sacha Healy and Ekkehard Unger and modelled by Sacha Healy (Photo by Jade McLeod)
For many months, as I walked our dog “Kawa” around the Karamea Estuary Walkway, I would stroll past Chris’ house and hear industrious metallic banging being emitted from his shed, and lots of laughter, accompanied by Frank Zappa music and wondering, “What are they building in there?” I knew better than to ask and managed to suppress my curiosity to be completely overwhelmed on show night by the incredible creation they presented. With the likeness of a real weta, completed with long, thin harakeke flax flower stems for its legs and antennae, their entry was a stand-out winner among tough competition on the night.
The weta was accompanied by a poem that described the creation and the motivation behind it well:
Wētāpunga: The God of Ugly Things
Into the deep, into the murk,
Into the darkness where ugly things lurk-
Light up your courage,
Breathe life from it’s sparks,
Transmogrify fear into luminous art!
Wētāpunga was so life-like, it scared the children sitting at the front of the stage. The creation will be on display in window of the old Global Gypsy Gallery, opposite the Karamea 4-Square supermarket. This entry raised the already high bar set by the KaraWearable event, so go and check it out and be inspired to create your own piece for the next show.
Second place in the Adult Category went to Mary Bell and her son Sam, who designed, crafted, and modelled a creation titled “Mutating Microbes.” The mother and son team are from over the hills in Granity, one of the entries from outside of the Karamea region. Mary has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Karawearable show over the years and a great wearable artist…Congratulations, Mary and Sam, thanks for being big part of the show.
“Mutating Microbes” explores the resilience of life beyond humanity. Inspired by prehistoric organisms and the hidden microscopic world, the work imagines microbes evolving and adapting into new forms in Earth’s future. Through mutation and metamorphosis, the creations reflect on nature’s capacity to endure in the deepest reaches of time, darkness, and transformation. So the work is less about the depth of the ocean, but about the deep, unseen processes of evolution and the enduring power of life to adapt long after human influence has faded.
A hat titled “Fishervessence,” designed and modelled by Patricia August, also from Granity, took out the “Best Accessory” award. Her creation was made from papier-mâché and “bits and pieces” and cleverly lit with LED lights.
The “People’s Choice Awards” are always a popular feature of the show. Audience members can vote for their favourite entry and their votes are collected from the crowd by runners who take them backstage to be counted. This year’s people’s choice for the Youth Section went to designer Diva Murray with “Tetra,” which was beautifully modelled by her friend Eva McGrath.
As Diva’s father, I can hardly believe she managed to finish her creation, as two days before the show, the outfit was lying on her bedroom floor in a series of seemingly irreconcilable bits. With teenage confidence, she assured me that she knew what she was doing, and true to her word, she nailed it (or more accurately sewed it).
After the Youth portion of the show was completed, it was suppertime and the hungry crowd were treated to a sumptuous spread of gourmet treats by Vinnie Dunford, the Master Chef at the world famous (in Karamea) “Vinnies Cafe.”
The Adult Section winner of the “People’s Choice Award” was “Curiosities of the Coral Reef,” which was designed and modelled by the very clever Tina Wylie. Her incredibly intricate design also featured a good dose of humour. To the Dean Martin song “That’s Amore,” a comical moray eel would emerge from the outfit, smile and acknowledge the crowd. It was a very memorable performance, so much so that many who saw it, including myself, have had that song in our heads for days after the show!
After the adults had strutted their stuff, and while the judges were deliberating, local acrobat Lydia Bee took to the stage and wowed the audience with an incredibly flexible and seemingly death-defying aerial performance high under a steel pyramid, swinging from thick silk ropes. Amazing performance Lydia, thank you.
To all the team, everyone involved to make this dream work, thank you, Thank you to the organizing committee who worked tirelessly and doggedly all year to bring this awesome event together, thanks to the creative people who designed, crafted and modeled the outfits, the school staff, teachers, hall management team, bar staff, cleaners, backstage helpers, judges, make-up artists, photographers, sponsors, promoters, sound engineers, lighting technicians, caterers, graphic designers, printers, ticket sellers, Clean Streams Karamea for the plants to decorate the hall, scaffolders, the MC, the acrobat, all the volunteers who helped set up and take down the stage, chairs, carpets etc for the show…It is always amazing to see how the Karamea community rallies around to contribute and assist, thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and skills and finally, thank you to the audience who came and clapped and cheered and supported the carnival of creativity and made it all well worth the effort.
A special mention needs to be made to the organising team of Sanae Murray, Cathy Sampson, Liz Kerslake, Bridie Young and Ange Cronin thank you team for a magnificent effort. Judges Anita Halsall, Alison Hale and Ruth Vaega, all artists themselves, took on the tough job of deliberation and eventually deciding the winning entries in each category in a very tight competition. Thanks for your important contribution ladies. Master of Ceremonies, the vivacious Jessie Creedmore, got the show on the road and kept it rolling along all night, well played Jessie. To all the creators, designers, artisans and models who made the show a show…Brilliant work. Thank you again for making the night magical.
In the era of social media, digital screens, computer games and artificial intelligence, it is more important than ever that we inspire our children and encourage them to use their imaginations and demonstrate that artistic expression is gratifying, a productive pursuit and essential for human prosperity and the enjoyment of life. Well done all concerned, all of Karamea is bigger and better because of your collective efforts and dedication….Can we do it again in 2027? Of course we can!
Category Winners
Youth 1st Place – Prize sponsor: S M Lowe Contracting
Title: Crafty Coral
Designer: Kowhai Class
Model: Wren Walker
Youth 2nd Place – Prize sponsor: S M Lowe Contracting
Title: Magic Mermaid
Designer: Lulu & Linda Brownie
Models: Lulu Brownie & Chris Lowe
Youth People’s Choice – Prize sponsors: Mitre 10 Westport & Property Brokers
Title: Tetra
Designer: Diva Murray
Model: Eva McGrath
Best Accessory – Prize sponsor: Little Wanganui Pub
Title: Fishervessence
Designer: Patricia August
Model: Patricia August
Adult 1st Place – Prize sponsor: Property Brokers Karamea
Title: Wētāpunga – The God of Ugly Things
Designers: Chris Seufert, Sacha Healey and Ekkehard Unger
Model: Sacha Healey
Adult 2nd Place – Prize sponsor: Karamea Village Hotel
Title: Mutating Microbes
Designer: Mary Bell
Models: Mary & Sam
Adult People’s Choice – Prize sponsors: Mitre 10 Westport & Property Brokers
Title: Curiosities of the Coral Reef
Designer: Tina Wylie
Model: Tina Wylie
KaraWearable Art Show Photos by Dan Murton
KaraWearbale Art Show Photos by Jade McLeod
Category Winners
Youth 1st Place – Prize sponsor: S M Lowe Contracting
Title:Crafty Coral
Designer: Kowhai Class
Model: Wren Walker
Youth 2nd Place – Prize sponsor: S M Lowe Contracting
Title: Magic Mermaid
Designer: Lulu & Linda Brownie
Models: Lulu Brownie & Chris Lowe
Youth People’s Choice – Prize sponsors: Mitre 10 Westport & Property Brokers
Title: Tetra
Designer: Diva Murray
Model: Eva McGrath
Best Accessory – Prize sponsor: Little Wanganui Pub
Title: Fishervessence
Designer: Patricia August
Model: Patricia August
Adult 1st Place – Prize sponsor: Property Brokers Karamea
Title: Wētāpunga – The God of Ugly Things
Designers: Chris Seufert, Sacha Healey and Ekkehard Unger
Model: Sacha Healey
Adult 2nd Place – Prize sponsor: Karamea Village Hotel
Title: Mutating Microbes
Designer: Mary Bell
Models: Mary & Sam
Adult People’s Choice – Prize sponsors: Mitre 10 Westport & Property Brokers
Title: Curiosities of the Coral Reef
Designer: Tina Wylie
Model: Tina Wylie
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About LivinginPeaceProject
Paul Murray is the founder of the LivinginPeace Project. www.livinginpeace.com Paul originally from Australia, but have been living in New Zealand for 14 years. Before that he was in Japan for a decade working as a journalist. He met his wife Sanae in Japan and they married in 2008.