Jessica’s work fit for Ardern and maybe the Queen
When the Queen opens her official Christmas card from New Zealand this year it could well be 10-year-old Jessica Toft’s design on the front.
The Auckland girl’s design was picked by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as one of the 1600 official cards to be sent from her parliamentary office this festive season.
Jessica’s colourful drawing of a kiwi gifting a present to a pukeko was one of five that caught Ardern’s eye in a recent competition.
The Devonport girl’s message — “All you need for Christmas is Kindness” — impressed Ardern. It was the same message the Prime Minister delivered to the UN General Assembly in September.
The Year 5 pupil from Hauraki Primary said she originally sketched a cat giving a dog a present but decided on a pukeko and a kiwi for a New Zealand feel.
“I thought if it is going to be sent overseas then it needed to be very Kiwi. I know the Prime Minister is very proud to be a New Zealander.”
I have never had anything like this happen to me. Jessica Toft
Receiving a letter from Ardern, with a photo of the Prime Minister holding Jessica’s drawing, was the youngster’s “proudest moment”.
“I have never had anything like this happen to me, so it is pretty cool,” she said. “My mum and dad were so proud of me and it felt good to share my news with the senior assembly at school.”
In a video posted to Twitter, Ardern said she was impressed by the
600 or so entries she had received. “One of my favourite things was how unique they all are and how well they represent summer and the holiday season in Aotearoa.”
Jessica’s mum, Melanie Toft, was planning to take her to Wellington to see the artwork which would be displayed at an exhibition with the other entries.
The family had discussed who might receive Jessica’s design.
“It has been a lot of fun wondering if it might be the Queen or Justin Trudeau who receives one,” Toft said.
She was impressed with the time the Prime Minister took to send a photo of herself with Jessica’s design.
“I think it was a lovely idea to start with but then to send a photo and letter is pretty amazing.”
● The artwork exhibition runs until December 20 at the College of Creative Arts, Massey University (Wellington), Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Free entry.