Forget matching bras to undies or socks to jocks, now you can own the ultimate matching set - underwear and art. From Tuesday 22 November we are auctioning one pair of Pohutukawa Thunderpants along with the original artwork that inspired the design to raise funds for the Project Crimson Trust.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Arts here at TPHQ first became aware of the artist, Neil Mattila, when they visited Australia last year. "We have been keen to use our iconic Pohutukawa on Christmas Thunderpants for years, but have found designs often become quite cartoonish. Neil hit the nail on the head with this beautiful representation of our Christmas tree and we asked if he would be happy for his work to be used on Thunderpants. We are always looking for opportunities to give back to not for profit organisations and charities that are doing great work and raising money for Project Crimson is completing the circle”. 

Project Crimson was established 26 years ago to restore pohutukawa and rata to New Zealand’s forests and coastlines and is now one New Zealand's leading conservation organisations.

The original artwork donated by the artist with framing kindly donated by The Village Art shop, Greytown, along with matching Thunderpants is now up for auction on Trade Me closing on Friday 2 December 8.30pm and all proceeds will go to the Project Crimson Trust. Click here for the Trade Me Auction.

Happy bidding x