I feel very humbled and honoured to be the recipient of the ILT Supreme Award at the Arts Murihiku Southland Creative Art Awards 2026 for He Wai Apakura Te Ara Pounamu – The River’s Lament – A Pathway of Treasures. I accepted it on behalf of everyone who has contributed to the project.
It was a fabulous night celebrating the diversity and strength of the creative arts community in Southland.
Congratulations to all the other finalists and category winners.
I would like to give special thanks to the following groups and individuals:
Arts Murihiku and the ILT – Invercargill Licensing Trust
The Hokonui Rūnanga for openly sharing their knowledge and letting me tag along with some of their amazing river monitoring and education programmes.
The Eastern Southland Gallery – for their ongoing input, commitment and support for the project and Schools outreach workshops.
Brian Rance for his extensive field botany expertise and generous sharing of knowledge and input, along with Chris Rance from the Southland Community Nursery.
Eric Edwards his for Entomological guidance and Daniel Jack from DOC
And extra special thanks to my husband John Lory and my family and friends for all their support and encouragement.
So many other people supported and shared information, expertise and their time towards this project Thank you
Beautiful Leadlight Trophy designed by Helen Stewart – Wooden base by Callum Findlay