Arts festivals show-off creative NZ
Kiwis love the arts, and local and international artists both living in and visiting New Zealand are often inspired by the country’s diverse natural landscapes, friendly people and unique Maori culture.
New Zealand has a vibrant and thriving arts scene, and Kiwi artists and performers are known for their avant-garde flair, quirky sense of humour and unconventional approaches.
Arts festivals are a way for Kiwis to show off their originality to the world on a large scale - as well as an opportunity for visitors to experience the best of the New Zealand creative scene all in one spot.
These events bring together a collaboration of local and international artists, designers and performers - resulting in an exciting melting pot of shows, exhibitions, music and art.
Artistic culture
There are many galleries and studios dotted throughout New Zealand - and each region has its own eccentric and unique artistic personalities and stories to tell.
Nelson, at the top of the South Island, is known for its inspirational landscapes and creative environment. The Nelson Tasman region is home to many of the country’s top artists and craftspeople.
In the sunny Hawke’s Bay region, Napier is New Zealand’s ‘Art Deco capital’, so-called because the entire town was rebuilt from scratch in the distinctive 1930s style after a massive earthquake in 1931. Many heritage buildings have been preserved as living architectural history, and each February thousands of visitors head to Napier for the annual Art Deco Weekend - a not too serious celebration of the Art Deco style and times.
Waiheke Island, a short ferry ride from Auckland, is home to many artists and sculptors seeking refuge from the big city. There are more than 70 working artists in residence on the island, many of whom exhibit their works at Artworks in the Waiheke Community Gallery.
East of Auckland, on the Coromandel Peninsula, renowned Kiwi potter Barry Brickell has created a unique tourist destination with his Driving Creek Railway and Pottery. The 60-minute narrow gauge mountain railway journies through kauri forest to spectacular panoramic views that's a one-of-a-kind art and environmental experience.
Arts festival highlights 2011 / 2012
Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival, Gisborne
16 - 20 February, 2011
More than 50,000 people are expected to make a pilgrimage to Gisborne in February 2011 when New Zealand’s culture-rich Eastland plays host to Te Matatini - the biggest festival of Māori performing arts in the world.
Te Matatini is held every two years and the 2011 festival will be hosted by the Te Tairāwhiti iwi- a New Zealand tribe with a long history in kapa haka performance and home to some of New Zealand’s most famous Māori musicians.
Te Matatini website
Auckland Arts Festival
2 - 20 March, 2011
The 19-day Auckland Arts Festival is tailored to be thought-provoking and
entertaining, and the range of events caters to all tastes. The 2011 festival will be based around the ‘festival garden’ - a
multi-venue hub located around Aotea Centre in Auckland’s central city.
This biennial event celebrates the distinct and unique
characteristics of Auckland and its location within the Pacific Rim, and
includes dance, music, theatre and visual arts.
Auckland Arts Festival website
Christchurch Arts Festival
4 - 21 August, 2011
The best of theatre, dance and music is on display in Christchurch, New Zealand’s ‘garden city’ during the Christchurch Arts Festival, a biennial event that focuses on up-and-coming local talent, as well as artists seldom seen in the South Island.
An array of interactive art and installations will be set up in
Cathedral Square, in the heart of the city, and visitors can look
forward to a diverse programme with an equal split between local and
international performers.
Christchurch Arts Festival website
World of WearableArt (WOW)
25 September - 10 October, 2011
Dubbed ‘Mardi Gras meets haute couture’, New Zealand’s WOW or World of WearableArt is a uniquely Kiwi event mixing high fashion and art in a spectacular stage show.
This dazzling show lists on the international calendar and attracts entries and audiences from all over the world. The 2010 supreme award winners were two Indian design students with their entry titled ‘Loops’ - made from interlacing merino wool felt.
Although the event is now held in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, it had humble beginnings, starting in Nelson when local sculptor Suzie Moncrieff came up with the idea of taking art from the gallery wall to adorn the human body.
A museum honouring the history of this visual extravaganza has been established in Nelson, housing collections from finalists and winners for the past 20 years.
World of WearableArt website
Nelson Arts Festival
7 - 24 October, 2011
The South Island's Nelson Tasman
region is home to a significant artistic community inspired by wild landscapes of golden sand beaches and vast
protected national parks, and a gentle openair climate. In October, the city
transforms into a living visual feast for the Nelson Arts Festival.
As well as studio and gallery tours, there are readers and writers’
events, theatre shows and live bands. The festival has been going for
14 years and opens with a masked parade through the city streets, where
up to 4000 participants celebrate Nelson’s version of the Mardi Gras.
Nelson Arts Festival website
WASA! Wild and Sneaky Art Festival
October 2011
Held in conjunction with the Nelson Arts Festival, the WASA! Wild and Sneaky Art Festival
is a creative, edgy event introducing a new art genre that "celebrates the wild, sneaky, surprising, fun and remarkable talent in
all of us".
Organisers encourage visitors to participate in "random acts
of creativity" happening throughout the nine-day festival, without
worrying about whether they are artistic or expert enough. Wild and
Sneaky workshops will be held throughout the city, with quirky
activities such as the chance to transform old appliances into
something "wild and funky".
WASA! Wild and Sneaky Art Festival
Tauranga Arts Festival
20 - 30 October, 2011
The biennial Tauranga Arts Festival will offer a great
opportunity for Rugby World Cup visitors wanting to take a break from
following the games. Held over 10 days, the event programme includes
music, theatre, cabaret and exhibitions.
In 2009, more than 30,000 people attended festival events - 11,000
bought tickets to shows, more than 7000 visited the World Press Photo
exhibition, and over 5000 spectators thronged the sidewalks during
‘street theatre day’.
Tauranga Arts Festival website
Otago Festival of the Arts
Biennial event - October 2012
This biennial art festival started in 2000 as a way of bringing some of the world’s best artists and performers to the Otago region. The 10-day festival programme includes music, theatre, dance and visual art exhibitions at galleries around Dunedin. Many local artists hold exhibitions during the festival.
Otago Arts Festival website
More information
New Zealand Events - Summer 2010 / 2011
Celebrating weird and wacky NZ events
Napier - NZ's Art Deco Capital
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