Congratulations to Olive for her inspirational winning T-Shirt design

This work was inspired by  inspired by the concept of more adventure and less time in the car. After spending a day brainstorming indoors without much success Olive Galea found inspiration in an unexpected place — a walk along the new boardwalks in Te Atatū South.

It was there that the 14-year-old discovered the ideas that would become her winning design, Te Whau River Treasures. As she explored the pathway, Olive began collecting small treasures from the natural environment. A feather caught her eye, followed by other interesting finds and observations, some gathered by hand and others captured through photographs.

Back at home, she transformed these discoveries into a detailed artwork using watercolour and pen. The finished piece resembles the pages of a naturalist’s sketchbook, carefully documenting the unique treasures of the Te Whau River environment.

“I would have never found that if I went for a car ride,” Olive reflects.

Walking is already a regular part of Olive’s daily life. She often travels along Te Whau Pathway with friends on the way to school, where they enjoy spotting local wildlife such as crabs and kingfishers.

Olive’s passion for art began during Auckland’s COVID-19 lockdowns and has continued to flourish throughout her time at Rutherford College. Under the guidance of Visual Arts teacher Talei Yates, she has enjoyed an outstanding year of artistic success. In 2026, she won her age category in Seaweek’s Ocean-Inspired Art Competition and was also awarded the overall People’s Choice Award at the National Youth Art Awards.

Her winning design, Te Whau River Treasures, offers a creative interpretation of the theme More Adventure. Less Time in the Car, celebrating the beauty, curiosity, and discoveries that can be found when people take the time to explore their local environment on foot.

Olive’s artwork will now be transformed into her first-ever printed T-shirt design, and organisers are excited to work with her to bring the winning concept to life.

Big congratulations to Olive.