The Judge's winner: Finau Filianga Vea 

The winner of Manukau Libraries’ Express Yourself teen art and photo competition is Finau Filianga Vea from Otara. Finau’s sketch was selected from more than thirty entries by Judge Ema Tavola who said it stood out for the highly commendable use of perspective drawing.

Ms Tavola said “He has represented, with striking accuracy, the Otara Town Centre canopy and used Polynesian design motifs to mirror this central form, creating a compelling and successful composition.
 
“His statement about expressing his love for the place he lives, and the richness of this space in light of the common misconceptions about Otara, show a mature consciousness that is refreshing and deserving of acknowledgment”.

Finau says, "I'm just expressing how beautiful Otara can be other than what people who don't live in Otara think it is"  

 
The People's Choice winner: Aydriannah Tuialii

More than 1200 people voted online, at the ASB Polyfest or at their local library for the People’s Choice Award.  The winner was Aydriannah Tuialii from Pakuranga.

Aydriannah says, "Being a teen in Manukau, when in the process of entering adulthood, there are so many things to think about for the future like career choices, money etc. The concept of my entry is to show that although we may look alright on the outside, inside are all these things needed to be successful in the future. And because Manukau is a multicultural city that explains the design, pattern and flags. Being a multicultural city entitles us with the opportunities to talk to people and seek help."

Finau will receive an iPod nano for his effort and Aydriannah a digital camera. The winners will be presented with their prizes at a special event to be held next Friday at the Otara Library. 

Organiser of the competition Jolene West, Literacy and Learning Coordinator for Manukau Libraries, is delighted with the response to the competition. 

“I was very impressed with the standard of entries we received. Manukau has some extremely talented, artistic young people and it was inspiring to see them able to express what it means to be a teen living in Manukau.

“The messages and way they chose to express themselves were extremely varied, but all captured a youth-friendly and positive image of Manukau youth”, says Ms West.

What:   Manukau Libraries’ Express Yourself prizegiving
When:  11am, Friday, 16 April  
Where: Otara Library, Otara Town Centre