Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Marae trips trigger Auckland boy's Google doodle

Updated at 7:55 pm on 9 February 2012

If you've used Google recently, you might have noticed the internet search engine's daily doodle represents New Zealand.

The artwork features a Maori face, a tui, a kiwi, a snow-capped mountain, and the national flag.

The doodle was created by Liam Platt - a pupil at Auckland's Ponsonby Primary school until last year - and went live online on Thursday.

Principal Anne Malcolm says the picture has a big Maori influence.

She says the artwork is underpinned by Maori designs, due to the tamariki visiting Orakei marae.

Ms Malcolm says the artist was inspired by the tukutuku, or lattice work, and other designs at the marae - and put those images in the drawing.

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