let’s create some magic
What better way to bring light, colour and creativity to Kerikeri over the darker winter months than creating our very own lantern display.
Create, decorate and enter your lanterns in our Make It Shine competition and our team will add the electric tea lights and install them throughout the central shopping area on Kerikeri Road (in place of the hanging baskets).
what you need to know
This competition is for everyone and anyone who loves creativity and light - individuals, community groups, school children, retirees, artists and crafters.
You will be making a maximum of five lanterns of your own design using materials such as paper, card, fabric, yarn, wire, plastic and tin. Your design needs to take the form of a hanging lantern - but the decoration is up to you. Use anything from paint and pastels through to seashells and foliage. Your design will need to incorporate an accessible shelf for a tea light to sit on as well as an open hook at the top.
The only material we discourage you from using, for safety reasons is glass (Mason jars etc).
competition requirements
Enter as an individual or as a group. Ensure you attach a small tag to each lantern with your individual or group name that is the same as your entry name.
Quantity: Up to five lanterns per individual entry or per group entry. (Tip: if you want to make more than five, you can enter more than once - but we do need to make room for everyone).
Design: it must look like a lantern. It must incorporate an open hook at the top and an accessible shelf for a tea light within the lantern. (Tip: if you are just interested in decorating a lantern, we suggest you purchase a readymade lantern from a craft retailer). There is no design theme.
Materials: to be provided by you. We encourage recycled materials but this isn’t a mandatory requirement. Do not use glass or glass jars.
Durability: these lanterns will be displayed on the hooks that were used for the hanging baskets. There will be minimal protection from weather so factor this into your choice of materials, coatings and design. The installation will be in place for around 8 weeks.
Dimensions: the lanterns will be suspended over the main footpath in the central shopping district so please keep them well above head height.
Tea lights will be provided by Our Kerikeri Community Charitable Trust.
Installation will be provided by Our Kerikeri Community Charitable Trust.
You will be required to remove your lanterns at the end of the competition.
This is what the hooks that are used for the hanging baskets look like:
judging criteria
We are looking for entries that make a massive visual impact during both night time and daylight hours, use colour effectively, are creative and original.
There are prizes for best pre-school / school, best individual and best group.
key information
Entries close 21 June 2026
Lanterns to be completed and delivered to Whitelaw Weber, 10 Fairway Drive Kerikeri by 1 July 2026
Installation will take place in the first week of July.
Judging will take place in the second week of July.
Remove your lanterns by 30 August 2026.
