Get inspired by the ARTS AND CULTURE that Aotearoa has to offer

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth | credit: Patrick Reynolds Carving School, Te Puia, Rotorua | credit: Te Puia

Impressive collections to devour GET INSPIRED BY ART AND CULTURE

While our better known and most visited art and culture institutions are found in the big cities, there are some fine collections away from the crowds.

Te Papa dominates the capital’s waterfront, the City of Sails has the stylish Auckland Art Gallery and Christchurch has the ever-so glassy Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū but that’s only part of the picture. There are also some fine regional art and culture experiences worth travelling for where you can find your culture fix away from the crowds.

Spread over the undulating contours of the hills above Kaipara Harbour, Gibbs Farm is a private collection of larger-than-life sculptures by eminent artists, including Anish Kapoor, Len Lye and Andy Goldsworthy. This is a world-class sculpture park on a grand scale displaying some of the largest art works ever created by these artists. To fully appreciate, it takes the best part of a day and a picnic to meander the pastures populated with sheep, alpacas and a family of giraffes. Open days are limited, and you must book in advance.

Matakana is a popular weekend day out for Aucklanders shopping at the lively farmers’ market. The village is also close to not one but two significant outdoor sculpture collections.

Sculptureum, described as “art entertainment”, houses an outstanding private collection that includes works by Cézanne, Chagall and Rodin. Wander the magnificent sculpture gardens and six themed galleries then reflect and refuel at Rothko, the onsite restaurant and bar.

Weaving School, Te Puia, Rotorua | credit: Te Puia

Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth | credit: Patrick Reynolds

Towards Snells Beach, Brick Bay Sculpture Trail serves up food, wine and culture in a vineyard. Begin at the stunning Glass House cellar door and café, then follow the two-kilometre trail through the magnificent outdoor gallery of water features, native plantings and vines. The exhibition changes regularly and features around 45 sculptures by leading contemporary artists.

Just as art comes in many forms, so can the gallery housing the art, none more so than the flowing mirrored lines of Taranaki’s Len Lye Centre – surely Aotearoa’s most eye-catching building. Opened in 2015, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre honours its namesake pioneer filmmaker and kinetic sculptor with more than 18,000 items of his work.

You’ll have to take a kayak or a boat across Lake Taupō to witness the impressive Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings. There’s an extraordinary story behind this work by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell who set-out 40 years ago to commemorate his ancestor Ngatoroirangi, the valiant Māori navigator who guided his people to this area over a thousand years ago.

For a rich cultural experience, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) – set in the active geothermal park at Te Puia in Rotorua – is the home of the national schools of carving (including wood, pounamu and bone) and weaving. The Institute aims to encourage and promote Māori arts, craft, performance and culture.

With more than 350 resident artists, the Nelson Tasman region is a creative hub. Follow the art trails – walk, bike or drive – to visit local artists in their studios working with glass, ceramics, pottery, jewellery, wood and stone.

Bike the Great Taste cycle trail and see glass artists at work in the Höglund Studio. Visit the tiny Jens Hansen studio, makers of the One Ring (of Lord of the Rings fame) and creators of contemporary artisan jewellery. Not to be outdone, Dunedin also boasts an impressive art trail of 28 vibrant murals by celebrated street artists.

Discover Dunedin’s colourful underside on a two-hour Small City Big Walls guided walk through the old warehouse precinct.