Presenting my piece for the Santa’s Passport Collaboration!
Christmas in New Zealand typically means summer heat, picnics or barbecues at the beach, park or campground. My “Kiwi” Santa is wearing jandals (thongs), stubbies (shorts) and an All Blacks rugby jersey. His presents are in a Kete – a Maori woven flax basket. Instead of a reindeer, his helper is a little kiwi. The painted scene of Rangitoto Island is framed by pohutukawa trees, known as the NZ Christmas tree with their timely bright red blooms. Many a Christmas day is spent in a gorgeous setting such as this. Written in the sand is “Meri Kirihimete” meaning Merry Christmas in Maori.

I had so much fun making this piece depicting my home country’s Christmas culture, and being part of my second collaboration. This was also my first attempt at baking a Christmas cake, and covering a square cake! Thought it was a good excuse to give one a go :-)