Picture Perfect Easter Trail – Photo Exhibition and Event 2025

Picture Perfect Easter Trail Captivates Te Puke Community

Saturday 26 April, 2025

The event, a successful collaboration led by EPIC Te Puke, transformed Jubilee Park and the Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway into an engaging outdoor gallery. A huge thank you to Harvest Church for their incredible contribution, providing Easter Egg Hunts, fun activity stations, and energetic dance contests that lifted everyone’s spirits. DJ Storm’s lively tunes kept the park humming throughout the event. Creative Te Puke was instrumental in conceiving and supporting the photographic contest, which included the challenging task of selecting the finalists.

The photographic competition featured three ‘local’ sections: Local Pets (for ages 13 and under), sponsored by Te Puke Veterinary Centre; Local People (Under 16 and Open), sponsored by Sub 10; and Local Places (Under 16 and Open), sponsored by Property Brokers Te Puke – Todd Jenkins and Abby Blain.

Five finalists from the People and Places categories had their work proudly displayed on large boards along the Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway, where they will remain for several weeks for trail users to enjoy. The top eight entries in the Pets category were showcased on easels for the event day, after which the young photographers were able to take their artwork home.

Despite the damp conditions, the community showed incredible enthusiasm, with attendees braving the weather to enjoy the local markets, delicious food stalls, and free entertainment, including a special appearance by the Easter Bunny. Over almost 300 votes were cast by those walking and biking the trail for the People’s Choice awards, with participants also entered into a draw for fantastic spot prizes. The top spot prize was a Black Thunder bike from MyRide Te Puke, which was won by Imani Murray.

The People Voted…

The People’s Choice Award winners, as voted by the determined community, are:

1st Place (Local Pet Section): Madison Gloyn for “Cat with Headphones”
2nd Place (Local People Section – Under 16): Monty Coates for “Girl with Bubbles”
3rd Place (Local Pet Section): Keira Hutchison for “Hatchling Chick”
Highly Commended (Local Pet Section): Zac Jenson for “Golden Lab on Beach”
Highly Commended (Local Pet Section): Lexie Schollum for “Tigger Exploring”

Lukah Pamment – “Tabby Cat”

Sarah Coates – “Maternity Silhouette”

Sadie Coates – “Dogs with Grandad”

Millar Mathieson – “Miniature Dachshund Jager”

Emma McCarroll – “Nanas Birthday”

Monty Coates for “Girl with Bubbles”

In addition to the People’s Choice awards, Creative Te Puke conducted their own judging process, recognizing outstanding talent in each category:

Local Pets

1st: Keira Hutchison – “Hatchling Chick”
2nd: Madison Gloyn – “Cat with Headphones”
3rd: Zak Jensen – “Golden Lab on Beach”
Highly Commended: Millar Mathieson – “Miniature Dachshund Jager”
Highly Commended: Lexie Schollum – “Tigger Exploring”
Highly Commended: Lukah Pamment – “Tabby Cat”
Highly Commended: Sadie Coates – “Dogs with Grandad”
Highly Commended: Jack Stott – “Vizsla on Bridge”

Local Places

1st: Quintin Murray – The water hole
2nd: Rebecca Ashmore – Cemmetary sunrise
3rd: Fleur Pardoe – Picking kiwi
Highly Commended: Jessica Barnes – 2040244 The Aruroa
Highly Commended: Amy Piper – Fern Frond

Local People

1st: Jamie Troughton – Surf kid
2nd: Monty Coates – Girl with bubbles
3rd: Emma McCarroll – Nanas Birthday
Highly Commended: Sarah Coates – Maternity Silhouette
Highly Commended: Charlotte Piper – Tractor Night

Thank you to Te Puke Veterinary Clinic, Sub 10 and Property Brokers Te Puke – Todd Jenkins and Abby Blain for sponsoring the photography categories.

The EPIC Te Puke Team are very grateful to everyone involved in making the event a success. “We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout and the incredible community spirit shown by everyone who attended despite the rain. The talent displayed was outstanding, and the collaborative effort from all involved, including the wonderful teams at Harvest Church and Creative Te Puke, truly shone through. A massive thank you to the Te Ara Pathway society for providing such a unique and creative space to showcase our local artists,” said Rebecca Larsen, Events and Promotions Manager, EPIC Te Puke.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for EPIC Te Puke, the Creative Te Puke Forum, and the Te Ara Kahikatia Pathway to showcase the incredible talents we have right here in Te Puke. Seeing the finished photographs on display has been truly inspiring, and it would be fantastic to have the opportunity to feature them permanently along the pathway, adding new works each Easter to continue celebrating our community’s creativity.” added Lisa Stowell, Chair of Creative Te Puke.

EPIC Te Puke extends a big thank you to everyone who played a part in making this community art celebration such a success. We’re so grateful for our dedicated volunteers, including the awesome teams from Te Puke High School and Harvest Church – your help was invaluable. A sincere thanks goes out to our generous sponsors: Te Puke Veterinary Centre, Sub 10, Property Brokers Te Puke (thanks Todd Jenkins and Abby Blain!), Steve Fawcett for capturing the event beautifully, Te Puke Landscape Supplies, Paper Plus Te Puke, VisionLab, Bridgestone Te Puke, Tow Bar Guy, Creative Te Puke, and Made in Te Puke Trust – we really appreciate your support. And finally, a big thank you to our funders: We Care, Tauranga and Western BOP Combined Events Fund, and Creative BOP – your contribution was essential. It’s the collective enthusiasm and generosity of everyone involved that allows us to showcase our community’s artistic talent and bring people together to celebrate. Thanks, everyone!