With just two weeks to the opening of the 14th annual Waimarino Art Awards in Raetihi, organiser Paula Charlton has been called to the bedside of her dying mum in Scotland.
Ms Charlton said yesterday that when hospice staff told her a few days ago to return home to Helensborough (near Glasgow) to see her mum, Margaret Clarke, "sooner rather than later" it was imperative to go.
"And everyone has been wonderful. I called a community meeting and so many people turned up to help me and take over the reins of the Art Awards it was amazing. I am thrilled because I don't think I'll be back in time now."
New people on the team include her husband, Jacob Fah, and son McKenzie, 14, and Ruapehu College Arts Teacher Anne Stuckey and others from the community.
"I'm taking our daughter Sydney, 8, with me. I will be doing the admin on the entries coming through for the catalogue so I really hope people will email their entries through."