Hours of hard work have gone into transforming Rotorua's Amos Taumanu into the Maori legend Hatupatu.
The Sunset Primary School 5-year-old is getting ready for his school's wearable arts show tomorrow night where he will get to show off the Hatupatu costume he has spent "hours" making with the helpof his teacher Doris Bragg, who is affectionately known by students and staff as Nanny Doris.
In Maori legend, Hatupatu was the youngest of four sons and was cruelly treated by his elder brothers. Legend tells of his escape from the birdwoman Kurangaituku, by hiding behind a rock and leading her into a hot spring. He grew up to become a chief of some note among the Te Arawa people.
Amos enjoys hearing about the stories of Hatupatu, which was why he was excited to transform into the Maori legend for the wearable arts show.
Amos put the feathers on his costume and while he likes the look of everyone's costumes, he believes his is the best.
"My costume's cool," he said.
As part of Sunset Primary School's wearable arts event at Te Wananga o Aotearoa's Taiwere campus on Malfroy Rd, students will be showcasing their creations that either represent the past, present or the future.
Since term three, students have been creating pieces to enter in the awards.
One of the organisers, Moana McRae, said there were 40 entrants for the competition including costumes that represented 1920s gangsters, 1980s girls, medieval, future space girls and Hatupatu.
She said all of the students had contributed in the creations in some way.
There will be a first, second and third placing in both the junior and senior categories as well as a supreme winner.
The overall winner will get to donate money to the Waiariki Women's Refuge.
Miss McRae said the main aim of the awards was to encourage students to help others.
"We hope the kids and everyone who comes sees the importance of donating and helping out organisations . We hope that lots of people come and lend their support and get behind our kids," Miss McRae said.
The wearable arts show starts at 5pm.
Entry is $2 and all proceeds go to Waiariki Women's Refuge.
