This year’s theme was Tangaroa. Mīharo program development manager Tania Carran said to Māori and Pacific Island cultures, Tangaroa was an ancestor or an atua – which was a God of the sea and all the creatures within it. Mīharo patron Johnny Penisula chose the winning design because he “felt the design was complete and a real showstopper”. Penisula also said in his notes for his choice that he thought “it reflected the theme and the Whakataukī really well and represented THRIVING in a picture.” The Tangaroa theme for this year really got the students taking part to get creative with their entries.
Sina’s pet eel fell in love with her and pursued her until villagers chopped its head off. Sina asked the people to bury the head of the eel. She said whatever grew from it, the people would rely on for their whole lives, and the coconut tree was created. Penisula was unable to attend the unveiling but his son Lyle Penisula spoke on his father’s behalf, explaining his own interpretation of the artwork. During his presenting the artwork, Lyle described it as a self-portrait of his dad. From his interpretation, the sculpture of the eel head looked like a morphed Paua, which was the seed of the south, he said.