Celebrating creativity and sustainability, our 2025 Art Expo showcased beautiful tamariki artwork made from recycled materials. With a focus on kaitiakitanga, children explored new ways to care for Papatūānuku through hands-on learning and innovation.
BestStart Manukau is proud to celebrate our tamariki and kaiako (teachers) in the 2025 Art Exhibition.
This year, our focus has been on sustainability—an innovation we have embraced across our centre. The children have been learning the importance of recycling, reducing, and reusing materials in creative and meaningful ways.
With the support of our teachers, the children have transformed everyday items—such as plastic bottles, clay, old sponges, cardboard, and brown paper bags—into stunning works of art.
Children are learning how their everyday choices impact the environment and are developing problem-solving skills as they explore new uses for familiar materials. They are also learning about kaitiakitanga—guardianship of the land—and how to show respect for Papatūānuku.
At BestStart Manukau, we are continually exploring ways to reduce plastic use and waste. By reusing and repurposing materials, we are showing our children how to care for our environment and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother). This holistic approach acknowledges the deep spiritual connection we share with the natural world.
We are proud to be fostering a long-term vision for sustainability within our learning environment. Through hands-on experiences and collaborative projects, we are equipping our children with the knowledge and skills to face future environmental challenges with confidence and care.
Over the past few months, the children and teachers have worked tirelessly to prepare for this event—creating beautiful artwork, imagery, and even a special calendar.
A big thank you to all our wonderful parents and whānau who joined us for this very special evening. It was a joyful celebration of creativity, learning, and environmental awareness. Your continued support made this event a great success, and we are truly grateful to share this journey with you all.