ock art, forges and fossils, Takiroa Rock Art. Photo / Supplied
Make your next New Zealand getaway an artsy one. From glassblowing to hands-on workshops, discover Aotearoa’s most creative must-dos in every region.
Grinter Glass
Grinter Glass is a glassblowing studio located inside Burning Issues Art Gallery in the Whangārei Town Basin. While you can watch the glass blowing from inside the gallery, expert glassblower Keith Grinter offers workshop sessions from the studio too, no experience necessary. Bring a friend to share the cost and learn an exciting new skill.
8 Quayside, Town Basin, Whangārei | $240 per hour.
The Providores Gallery
This gorgeous gallery is about as far off the beaten track as you can get in Northland – you’ll find it on Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands, only accessible via a ferry or boat cruise layover. There’s an amazing selection of local art as well as a general store for island campers. Keep an eye out on Facebook for their Meet the Maker sessions.
Otehei Bay, Urupukapuka Island, Bay of Islands.
Quarry Arts Centre
The Quarry Arts Centre is an underrated gem for art lovers in Whangārei. There is a range of workshops available from clay to painting, as well as art exhibitions and a shop for art supplies. Don’t miss Te Kowhai Print Trust at the top of the centre, which has a beautiful archive gallery of printed works over the years.
21 Selwyn Ave, Avenues, Vinetown.
In Trust for Tomorrow: The Greg J Moyle Foundation Bequest
This free exhibition celebrates the promised gift of 20 major works of New Zealand art to Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki from Auckland collector and philanthropist Greg Moyle. The collection provides an overview of fascinating moments from New Zealand’s 20th century art history, featuring significant paintings by artists including Rita Angus, Jacqueline Fahey, Louise Henderson, Frances Hodgkins, Ralph Hotere, Raymond McIntyre, John Pule and Michael Smither.
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | Opens May 23 | Free.
Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki presents Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now, a major survey of Chinese contemporary art. From daring artistic breakthroughs to today’s digitally native creators, Forever Tomorrow showcases how Chinese artists have grappled with China’s breathtaking transformation since the late 1970s, producing work that remains visionary and influential. Open since May 2, the exhibition features 67 works by 42 artists and spans performance, photography, sculpture, installation, moving image and new media. The exhibition features work by Ai Weiwei, Xu Zhen, Xiao Lu and Cao Fei, alongside artists exhibiting in Aotearoa for the first time.
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | Saturday May 2-Sunday August 23 | Adult $27.50.
Encore!
For a free, standout experience from Auckland Council, discover the newest exhibition at Central City Library that unearths rare ticket stubs, s
ound recordings, photographs, magazines and hand-drawn posters that tell the stories of the iconic venues and thrilling nights that have defined Auckland’s cultural life for the past 60 years. Take a stroll down memory lane and relive your wildest concert memories.
Central City Library, Level 2 | Free.
The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum
Set within a dramatic 42-acre rehabilitated quarry, The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum is New Zealand’s most extensive outdoor sculpture gallery. Sculptures sit among sweeping arboretum plantings, rugged cliffs and tranquil ponds, creating an ever-changing landscape. A 2km self-guided trail reveals more than 100 works and seasonal exhibitions. Recognised as a Garden of Significance, it offers a rich, immersive experience of art and nature.
207 Scotsman Valley Rd, Tauwhare, Hamilton Cost | 15yrs plus: $20, 5–14yrs: $5.
Te Ara Wai Journeys
A self-guided journey uncovering the rich cultural heartbeat of the Waipā region. Across six significant sites, including those shaped by the New Zealand Land Wars, powerful stories are shared by mana whenua, historians and local voices. Through mobile storytelling and on-site markers, each stop reveals layered histories and lived experience, creating an immersive, thought-provoking connection to Aotearoa’s past and present.
Waipa District, Waikato | Free
Sands Carving Studio
Step into a working studio and carve your own pounamu taonga under the guidance of expert carvers. Shape and polish New Zealand greenstone using traditional techniques, while discovering the cultural significance behind this treasured art form. Learn about the tools, stories and symbolism woven into each piece. Leave with a finished pendant, hand-bound and uniquely yours, and a lasting connection to its meaning.
5 Keddell St, Frankton, Hamilton | From $200.
Toi Tauranga Art Gallery
The recently rejuvenated Toi Tauranga Art Gallery is strategically located next to the city’s major Te Manawataki o Te Papa development. Its latest exhibitions offer compelling experiences by Aotearoa artists to engage, challenge, educate, and inspire. Jaime Jenkin’s first solo public gallery exhibition, Almost Touching, embodies the organic, intricate, and architectural forms of the natural environment. Private View – a collaboration with Kathrine McDonald Design, curated by gallery director Sonya Korohina – pairs exceptional private collection artworks with contemporary furnishings and textiles. Furthermore, artist Heidi Brickell will soon present a major new installation in the gallery’s main space, grounded in Māori cosmology, exploring connections between the physical and spiritual.
108 Willow St, Tauranga | Free for domestic visitors.
The Incubator Creative Hub
An historic site might seem an odd place to see a city’s most eclectic mix of contemporary arts and culture. But head to The Historic Village in Tauranga, and you’ll discover 16 unique spaces housing a diverse range of artists, including working studios and retail galleries. Thought-provoking exhibitions, exciting events, and interesting workshops are held throughout the year. There are also regular gatherings for poetry, sewing, calligraphy, knitting, printmaking, life drawing, and portrait creators.
The Historic Village, 159 17th Ave, Tauranga | Free.
Volcano Vibe Collective
Tucked away in Raetihi just a short drive from Ohakune, Volcano Vibe Collective is a community hub for local art and crafts offering creative workshops for pottery, candle making, sip & paint, and more. The passion and creativity in this space are inspiring and a true hidden gem in Raetihi. Enjoy eco products, handmade goods and one-of-a-kind pieces from local artists, as well as an open studio every Sunday which invites you to come and create.
Raetihi in Ruapehu.
Adventure Highway Arts Trail
Wind your way through quiet mountain towns and alpine villages and explore Ruapehu’s beautiful landscapes along the Adventure Highway Arts Trail. Bringing a beautiful fusion of art and travel to life, chat with local artists, discover little-known galleries, stay in art-centric accommodation and dine at cosy eateries from Waitomo to Ohakune. This is your invitation to book a creative getaway; to connect with community, visit open studios, unique exhibits and join in an art class or two.
From Waitomo to Ohakune along the Adventure Highway.
Martin Winchcombe bone carving
Working from his Whanganui studio, bone carver Martin Winchcombe offers small-group and one‑on‑one workshops that invite visitors into a deeply hands-on creative practice. Participants learn traditional techniques while carving their own piece from bone or antler. Suitable for adults, couples and families, these workshops offer an authentic, personal way to connect with local making, material and story.
28 Alexander St, Whanganui | $70 per hour.
Paloma Gardens
Set in the rural hills just outside Whanganui, Paloma Gardens is a privately owned sculpture garden where art and landscape unfold together. This immersive experience invites visitors to wander among exotic plantings and contemporary sculptures by New Zealand artists. Ideal for couples and creative-minded travellers, Paloma offers a slow, surprising encounter that feels personal, expressive and quietly unforgettable.
Pohutukawa Lane, Fordell, Whanganui |$10 entry fee.
NZ Glassworks
Tucked inside Whanganui’s creative quarter, New Zealand Glassworks workshops offer a rare chance to work hands-on with hot glass alongside practising artists. From making your own paperweight or tumbler, these intimate sessions suit couples and curious adults seeking something genuinely local. It’s a behind-the-scenes creative experience that’s tactile, memorable and deeply connected to Whanganui’s design heritage.
2 Rutland St, Whanganui | Price: $160 - $200.
Coastal Arts Trail
The self-drive Coastal Arts Trail follows a pulse of creativity running through Manawatū, Whanganui and Taranaki, offering insight into the lives and inspirations of artists and creatives. This scenic journey takes visitors not only to art galleries and museums, but also to off-the-beaten-track studios and creative rural communities. Discover unique galleries, learn traditional skills at a wide range of workshops and experience the ahurea tuakiri (cultural identities) of Manawatū, Whanganui and Taranaki. Art is at the heart of these regions’ communities, elevating cultural expression and lending vibrancy to life. From seafront sculptures in Taranaki, and contemporary crafts in Whanganui to fine arts in Manawatū, each region has something to offer.
Extends through Manawatū, Whanganui and Taranaki | Free.
Learn to weave workshop with Slow Woven Textiles
Spend a creative weekend learning the art of weaving with Manawatū-based weaver Natasha Christensen. In this intimate hands-on workshop, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of working with a four-shaft table loom while creating your own beautiful handwoven shoulder wrap to take home. Set in the peaceful, rural surroundings of The Herb Farm in Ashhurst, this two-day course is perfect for beginners. You’ll gain the skills and confidence to begin your weaving journey, from preparing a warp and dressing the loom through to weaving your finished piece using New Zealand wool and other natural fibres in your choice of hand-dyed colours.
The Herb Farm, 86 Grove Rd, Ashhurst.
Rototāwai
Rototāwai is a historic homestead in South Wairarapa, near Martinborough, where a significant private collection of contemporary New Zealand art is now open to the public. At its heart is the Anna Bidwill Collection, built over more than 50 years and recognised for its breadth of painting and sculpture by established New Zealand artists. Developed as a passion project, the collection is displayed throughout the homestead’s living rooms, creating an intimate, domestic gallery experience. A newly opened garden gallery adds space for changing exhibitions, extending the collection and inviting visitors to engage with new works alongside this deeply personal and evolving body of art.
15 mins from Martinborough | $30 pp.
Tino Rangitānetanga Iwi Exhibition
Currently showing at Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History is Tino Rangitānetanga Iwi Exhibition of identity, belonging and continuity, presented by Rangitāne o Wairarapa to honour their whakapapa, their whenua, and the presence of their people across generations. The dynamic nature of this iwi-led and owned exhibition includes a regular changeout of taonga and treasures, and the interactive Te Waka Wairua o Kurahaupō in Aratoi’s courtyard. The original Kurahaupō canoe was one of the migration canoes that came to Aotearoa. Today, it lies on the Māhia Pensinula, where it is preserved as a reef.
Tino Rangitānetanga Iwi Exhibition is showing until July 19 at Aratoi, Masterton | Free.
Art classes at Wellington Drawing School
Tucked away in the heart of Cuba St, the Wellington School of Drawing offers a wide range of classes for beginners through to experienced artists. Choose from courses or drop-in sessions, including oil painting, figure and portrait drawing, anatomy and analytical studies, still life and more. Each class provides opportunities to explore and develop a variety of artistic techniques.
Wellington School of Drawing, 166a Cuba St | From $30.
Wellington Sculpture Trust walks
Discover three distinctive sculpture walks across Wellington, created by the Wellington Sculpture Trust: the City Walk, Botanic Garden Walk and Meridian Energy Wind Sculpture Walk. Each showcases unique works, from New Zealand’s only Henry Moore sculpture in the Botanic Garden to the iconic Solace in the Wind on the waterfront, and monumental kinetic pieces beyond the CBD that move with Wellington’s famous wind.
Various locations | Free.
Workspace Studios
There is something for everyone at Workspace Studios, including one-day workshops. Explore modern and traditional techniques in jewellery making, casting, stained glass and enamelling. Workspace Studios prioritises efficient, environmentally responsible practices and serves as a creative hub and exhibition space for resident makers and artisans. One-to-one tuition is also available for those seeking more tailored learning.
Ground Floor, Toi Poneke Arts Centre, 65 Abel Smith St, Te Aro | Prices vary.
Dudson Scott Art Gallery
Located in the heart of the Marlborough wine region, the Dudson Scott Gallery is a purpose-built space for celebrating incredible art. It is a popular destination for visitors and showcases local artists alongside the works of Joanna Dudson Scott. The gallery itself is a converted glasshouse made from recycled and reformed materials. Studio tours are by appointment.
1494 State Highway 6, Marlborough.
The Diversion Gallery
The Diversion Gallery is located on the waterfront in Picton in the Marlborough Sounds and exhibits fine art by leading New Zealand contemporary artists. Many are acclaimed senior or mid-career artists of national and international repute, such as Nigel Brown and Michael Smither. The gallery also takes pride in introducing emerging New Zealand artists of distinctive talent.
London Quay, Picton | Open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm (also opens on request).
Marlborough Creative Artisans
Marlborough Creative Artisans is a co-operative of about 30 artists from the Marlborough region. They run the “best little craft shopfront in New Zealand” out of Mariners Mall on High St in Picton, not far from the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds waterfront. They are open seven days a week, making gift shopping (for yourself or others) easy and enjoyable.
Mariners Mall, High St, Picton.
Hokitika Glass Studio
At the Hokitika Glass Studio, visitors can watch skilled glassblowers shape molten glass into stunning works of art. The studio’s open workshop lets you experience the heat, craft and precision of the process up close. From vibrant vases to delicate ornaments, each piece is handmade onsite, showcasing the talent and creativity that define this iconic Hokitika studio.
Hokitika.
Te Koha Gallery
Set in the dramatic Franz Josef valley, Te Koha Gallery is a family-run workshop dedicated to the art of pounamu. Browse their beautifully crafted pieces, then take part in a guided carving experience where you shape your own piece from pounamu sourced from West Coast riverbeds. It’s a meaningful, hands-on way to connect with this treasured local taonga.
Franz Josef | $95 pp.
Whanake Gallery & Espresso Bar
A beloved Westport favourite, Whanake Gallery & Espresso Bar blends great coffee with local creativity. While you enjoy your drink, browse an ever-changing collection of striking artwork and artisan goods for sale. With friendly service and cosy indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a perfect stop for a break while you’re in town.
Westport.
Donna Demente’s Grainstore Gallery
Tucked inside Ōamaru’s Heritage Precinct, Donna Demente’s Grainstore Gallery feels less like a gallery and more like stepping into a theatrical dream. The artist’s hand-sculpted papier-mâché masks, costumes and shrine-like installations fill every surface. Visit during opening hours or ring ahead, as Demente often chats with visitors about her work. A strange, wonderful stop for people who like their art both unhinged and unforgettable.
Ōamaru.
Forrester Gallery reopens with Paemanu: Kārakaraka Toi
Ōamaru’s Forrester Gallery reopened this April, following a $7 million extension that doubled its footprint. More than 40 Ngāi Tahu artists come together in Paemanu: Kārakaraka Toi, the inaugural exhibition after the extension. Born from a four-day journey along te awa Waitaki from the ocean to Aoraki, the work is freshly home from Brisbane’s Asia Pacific Triennial and on show until August 16.
Ōamaru | Free.
Rock art, forges and fossils
Half an hour inland from Ōamaru, Takiroa Rock Art reveals charcoal and ochre drawings made by Ngāi Tahu ancestors centuries ago. Free to visit and mesmerising for kids, pair it with Nicol’s Blacksmith Shop, where you can watch a working forge in action, and the fossil hunts at the Vanished World Centre. In Duntroon, there’s hands-on history and a story at every stop.
Duntroon, Vanished World Centre | Entrance fee: Adults $10, children $5, under 5years free.
The Dreamery
The Dreamery, open since January, is an immersive sensory attraction of interactive multimedia rooms. Visitors walk through several themed spaces featuring digital projections, tactile art, and sound effects that react to movement and touch. It offers a 30 to 45-minute self-guided experience designed for playful interaction and photo moments.
Queenstown | From $39 adult / $29 child.
Schoolhouse Studios – Country Lane
Schoolhouse Studios – Country Lane in Frankton is a space designed for creating, learning, and inspiring. Wander through and see local talent at work or take part in a workshop and unleash your own creativity in this special piece of Queenstown’s past. Art Adventures offers full or half-day immersive art experiences while Saturday Ceramics offers two-hour pottery taster sessions. Tikki Studio promotes sustainability through sewing, with private lessons and “sip and sew” community events.
Frankton, Queenstown.
Te Atamira
Te Atamira, a vibrant cultural hub in Queenstown’s Frankton precinct, brings art, community and creativity together under one roof. Home to galleries, studios, workshops and live performances, it offers visitors a chance to engage, learn and create. Its ever-changing programme and strong connection to local artists make every visit fresh, inspiring and uniquely reflective of the region’s creative spirit.
Frankton, Queenstown.
The Artist’s House
At The Artist’s House, 10 minutes from Wānaka, Visual Artist Sonia Kiki Jones has created a getaway with a difference. Set within a character-filled home, it showcases eclectic works, vibrant gardens and intimate creative spaces. Personal, expressive and ever-evolving, it offers a rare chance to soak up creativity and connect with other art lovers. It’s a place to nurture, to inspire and to relax - where creatives get to come and play.
Luggate, Wānaka | from $550 per night.
Alice Herald
Alice Herald Jewellery is a refined studio and boutique in Wānaka, which showcases contemporary, handcrafted pieces inspired by natural forms and fine detail. Visitors can explore elegant collections or glimpse the design process within the working studio. Intimate and design-led, it offers a chance to connect with locally made jewellery that feels both modern and deeply personal.
The Precinct, Wānaka.
Little Art School
Little Art School is a creative studio at Wānaka Arts Centre, inviting visitors of all ages to explore painting, drawing and mixed media through hands-on classes and workshops. Led by an experienced local artist, sessions are playful, social and skill-building. Discover an engaging way to create, with short workshops from $27.
Wānaka Arts Centre.
Stardust Gallery
A small group of old stables in Naseby has been transformed into Stardust Gallery, showcasing renowned local landscape photographer Phil Flanagan’s work alongside the works of painter and sculptor Jenny Chisholm. At times, the room next door to the gallery also hosts free movie screenings for kids and adults.
5 Earne St, Naseby.
Forfar Road Gallery & Collectibles
A vibrant gallery space in the small town of Roxburgh showcasing the work of local Teviot Valley artists. You’ll find a diverse collection that includes landscape paintings, the quirky ceramics of Marion Mewburn, wooden sculptures, modern jewellery and sleek mid-century furniture. Unique collectables like hot air balloons, spy glasses, racing cars and treasures are also scattered around the gallery.
110 Scotland St, Roxburgh.
OCTA Gallery
This gallery workshop in the historic Belfast Store is a vibrant exhibition space showcasing limited edition original prints and an eclectic mix of works of art by renowned national and international artists. You’ll recognise works by Matisse and Braque showcased alongside contemporary New Zealand artists like Ralph Hotere, Marilynn Webb and Pat Hanley.
Belfast Store Building, Cromwell Heritage Precinct.
Rakiura Jade – Pounamu Carving Experience
Tucked away on Rakiura Stewart Island, Rakiura Jade offers an intimate introduction to pounamu carving. Visitors step into a working studio to learn about stone selection, symbolism and shaping techniques, often creating a small piece to take home. These sessions are personal, slow and deeply connected to place, making them ideal for couples and travellers seeking a meaningful, hands‑on creative experience.
Rakiura Stewart Island | Cost varies depending on session length and materials; booking required.
Matariki Pou Trail
Scattered across Murihiku Southland, the Matariki Pou Trail quietly weaves art, landscape and storytelling together. Each carved pou reflects mātauranga Māori and the values of Matariki, inviting visitors to slow down and engage with local narratives rather than ticking off attractions. The trail suits families, walkers and reflective travellers, and is best experienced with a little local insight rather than a set itinerary.
Across Murihiku Southland | Free, self‑guided.
Te Hīkoi Southern Journey Museum
Set just back from the coast in Riverton/Aparima, Te Hīkoi Southern Journey Museum is an immersive storytelling space where creativity, history and place come together. Lifesize displays, soundscapes and detailed craftsmanship bring Māori and European stories to life, revealing how people adapted to life on Southland’s south coast. It’s a thoughtful, unhurried experience that rewards curious visitors looking beyond headline attractions.
Riverton/Aparima | Adults $10 (includes all exhibitions and a 15‑minute introduction movie). $5 for the introduction movie only. Children 14 and under free.
The Hocken Collections
Completely hidden in plain sight and entirely underrated, Dunedin’s Hocken Collection at the University of Otago should be on every art lover’s itinerary. Stowed away in an Art Deco building on campus, the Hocken is part library, part art gallery and part archive for all things Dunedin and Otago. Open to the public, the Hocken also takes weekly behind-the-scenes tours of the treasures in its archives every Thursday at 11am, while also holding revolving art exhibitions in the Hocken Gallery.
90 Anzac Ave, Central Dunedin | Free.
Ana Teofilo Gallery
New Zealand-born Samoan artist Ana Teofilo merges her Samoan heritage with Western influence to create dynamic and contemporary Pasifika artworks. Teofilo has recently opened her new gallery and studio in South Dunedin where she regularly takes workshops where participants learn some of her techniques and create their own mini piece of art to take home.
50 Prince Albert Rd, St Kilda |Open hours Mon-Sat 10am-2pm | From Adult $65 / Child $30.
Otago Art Society
Tucked away in the upper floors of one of New Zealand’s most iconic and beautiful buildings, the Dunedin Railway Station, is the Otago Art Society. Many who cross the train platforms are unaware of the OAS’s presence just a short ornate staircase away. Founded in 1876 and celebrating 150 years this year, the OAS moved to the station in 2007. Enjoy the permanent art collection as well as work by local artists that can be purchased.
Level 1 Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Ave | Free.