24hrs in Totaranui story full view
Photo by Mia from Birchwood School

Children in Rotorua, Wellsford and Nelson win Top Outdoor Spot Competition

The Walking Access Commission Board has chosen winners for the Top Outdoor Spot Competition from over 300 entries from schools all around New Zealand.

The winner of the writing competition Texas from Wellsford School described “Big blue salty waves crashing loudly on sharp rocks, giving me shivers down my spine”.

The winner of the drawing competition Mia from Birchwood School who captured 24 hours in Totaranui with her time lapse drawing of fishing, kayaking and eating marshmallows beside a camp fire.

The winner of the best photo competition, Kaytalia from Ngongotaha School whose photo captured having fun by balancing on a fallen log in the Redwood Forest.

Best Photo

FIRST: Log Walking by Kaytalia (Age 10), Ngongotaha Primary, Rotorua

Log Walking by Kaytalia (Age 10), Ngongotaha Primary, Rotorua

Log Walking by Kaytalia (Age 10), Ngongotaha Primary, Rotorua

SECOND: Lake Tarawera by Craig (Age 10), Lynmore Primary, Rotorua

Lake Tarawera, by Craig (10)

Lake Tarawera by Craig (Age 10), Lynmore Primary, Rotorua

THIRD: On The Whanganui River by Daniel (Age 9), Adventure School, Porirua

On The Whanganui River, by Daniel (9)

On The Whanganui River by Daniel (Age 9), Adventure School, Porirua

Best Drawing

FIRST: 24hrs in Totaranui by Mia (Age 9), Birchwood School, Nelson

24hrs in Totaranui by Mia (Age 9), Birchwood School, Nelson

24hrs in Totaranui by Mia (Age 9), Birchwood School, Nelson

SECOND: The Oak Tree by Emma (Age 10), Lynmore Primary, Rotorua

The Oak Tree by Emma (Age 10), Lynmore Primary, Rotorua

The Oak Tree by Emma (Age 10), Lynmore Primary, Rotorua

THIRD: Feathered Friend by Charlotte (Age 12), Haast School, Haast

Feathered Friend by Charlotte (Age 12), Haast School, Haast

Feathered Friend by Charlotte (Age 12), Haast School, Haast

Best Story/Poem

FIRST: Cape Reinga by Texas (Age 11), Wellsford School, Wellsford

A long walk making my sore body ache.
Big blue salty waves crashing loudly on sharp rocks, giving me shivers down my spine.
Small green islands floating lightly among the water.
A tall red and white lighthouse standing stimulating those who need inspiration.

The two oceans Tasman and Pacific meet.
They push lightly together becoming one.
They shimmer in the sun blinding me as I state.
They gently kiss.

A pohutukawa tree standing shadowing the cliff.
Maori spirits floating around the place special to them.
Floating back to their ancestral land.

SECOND: The Fairy Forest by Rhea (Age 9), Eskdale School, Napier

Tall brown trees surround me in the enchanted mystical forest. cobwebs are the washing lines and the curled little pruned leaves are the dresses for the fairies that live there. It looks like a forest full of mysterious creatures and plants as big as the moon. I smell the fresh dirt as it has just rained. I feel like I am in a place that will never end. I taste the moisture in the air which is the kind of taste you would feel when sucking a sherbet lollipop. When the air touches my skin, it feels like I am floating on a white cloud.

THIRD: My Feelings Place by Bronny (Age 9), Tarras School, Cromwell

When I am feeling angry or sad I have a special place that helps me calm down. It is a little forest and it has lots of trees and a little creek. I love to climb the trees there because it makes me feel free. In my picture I am sat on a tree stump that was felled by the wind, sometimes the wind wrecks my spots and I have to make a new one but the new ones are even better than my last ones.I really like my special place because it makes me feel that I am part of nature.


Thanks to prize sponsors  Potton and Burton Skellerup, and the Cancer Society of NZ.