Over six weeks, we received 200+ creative arts entries from budding artists, talented photographers and skilful writers around our region.

The standard across the board was incredibly high, providing a challenging task for our three judges representing the arts, science and governance;

• Sian van Dyk, Curatorial and Collections Manager, Te Manawa Museum;
• Rachel Keedwell, Chair, Horizons Regional Council; and
• Amy Lennard, Science Manager, Horizons Regional Council.

The judges considered the following criteria to determine the category winners:

• Does the entry show how nature contributes to wellbeing?
• Is a high level of skill (age appropriate) required to produce this entry?
• Will this entry be visually impactful in Horizons' State of Environment report?

Our category winners have been selected, and now it is up to you, our community, to vote for your overall competition winner.

The entry with the most votes/points will win a $300 voucher to spend on a tourism activity or accommodation of their choice within the Horizons Region.

In addition, the highest polling artwork or photography entry will feature on the front cover of Horizons' upcoming State of Environment report.

If a written entry wins the public vote, the short story or poem will feature prominently within the report itself, and the visual entry with the highest vote will be published on the cover.

Simply select your winner, scroll down down to the bottom of the page, enter your name and email address - then you are all done.

If you decide to change your vote, you can re-submit. However, please take note that there is only one vote/point per person/email address and duplicate votes will not count towards the total.

Voting closes 4.00pm, Thursday 3 October.