Amanda Wright: Art, naturally

Amanda Wright. Photo / Babiche Martens

If you haven't heard about Splore yet, you're missing out on one of the best festivals happening in Auckland this summer.

The three-day music and arts event takes place at the stunning Tapapakanga regional park, 70km southeast of Auckland from February 19-21. And it's all thanks to the endless creativity of festival director Amanda Wright. She's the founder of Splore, a boutique family friendly, sustainable festival, where people immerse themselves in music, interactive art installations, performance, fun and an onsite community for three days.

Having played around the world on the international DJ circuit at festivals and parties, Wright has experienced many outdoor events. This has influenced her to create an outdoor festival where nature, culture and community merge into three days of world class entertainment at an idyllic beach location.

Splore has become one of New Zealand's most inspiring events. This summer Basement Jaxx and Lupe Fiasco headline the festival in February.

Check splore.net for more information, and tickets.

With visual arts a significant part of the Splore programme, Wright has always been motivated to turn the festival site into a stimulating art experience where festival-goers can interact with art in a natural setting.

Amanda Wright's 10 favourite design things

1. Adam Ellis

Kauri modules - public art Henderson. This work, commissioned by Waitakere City as part of a town centre redevelopment, is very cool. It mixes function with sculpture beautifully. The works are dotted through the town centre and look stunning at night.

2. Lisa Reihana

Mai i te aroha, ko te aroha, means "from love, comes love". It was commissioned specifically for Te Ara a Hine, the internal entrance to Te Papa's marae and is a powerful and stunning combination of sculpture, photography, textiles, music, video and space.

3. My rings

I have two favourite rings that I wear consistently. The first is by Warwick Edgington, a contemporary New Zealand jeweller mixing mother of pearl and stainless steel. On the other hand is an antique Navratna constellation ring that I found in India and have worn for 17 years.

4. Modernist glass collection

I love Murano and Scandinavian glass from the 50s and 60s - it is timeless design.

5. United Nude Shoes

This British shoe label is made collaboratively by architects and designers. They are sexy, modern and - most importantly - comfortable.

6. Miranda Brown

This New Zealand fashion designer and textile artist transforms conscious cloth into beautiful clothes.

7. Crown Lynn neck piece

Simon Gamble is the original designer who takes Crown Lynn plates and makes them into stunning pieces of jewellery.

8. Native Agent

Genuine NZ design shop. One of my favourite shops run by one of my favourite families in Kingsland; exceptional quality NZ jewellery, clothes, homeware and art.

9. Mark Osborne - pallet table

My boy is obsessed with "up-cycling". Taking rubbish and making it into useful desirable objects . It looks good, is original and works too!

10. Shigeru Ban

A Japanese architect working with paper and cardboard tubes. Shigeru devotes much of his time to designing low-cost emergency structures for disaster relief and temporary structures for exhibitions.