Creative Industries
Kāpiti has been listed in the Top 5 nationally on the Infometrics Creativity index, dubbing us as one of New Zealand’s creative centres. There is no mistaking that we have an abundance of creatives in our district. The sector features a rich array of writers, artists, performers, musicians, ngā toi Māori, theatres, galleries, studios and performance spaces along with a thriving filmmaking industry.
For the Love of Art
Toi MAHARA
The recently opened contemporary public art gallery Toi MAHARA is the district gallery for Kāpiti. The gallery helps form a vibrant and colourful heart for the district and is centrally located in Waikanae. There are four exhibition spaces showcasing local creativity, toi Māori, historical taonga, and work by nationally significant artists. The exhibition programme balances quality local and national content, works in partnership with local iwi, and reflects the diversity of the Kāpiti arts community.
Kāpiti Coast Art Trail
A signature event in the region's creative sector calendar is the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail, which is held annually across the district. Every November the Trail surprises and delights with a wonderland of artist studios, galleries and shared spaces opened up for self-guided tours of discovery.
The Art Trail showcases the incredibly diverse talent and rich creative culture of our district, but it also generates significant economic activity in the form of additional visitor spend.
Creative Kāpiti
Creative Kāpiti is dedicated to nurturing and promoting the arts in the Kāpiti district. Through workshops, exhibitions, education, and community projects, Creative Kāpiti supports local artists to provide opportunities for creative expression. Its mission is to enrich the cultural landscape in Kāpiti, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community where the arts can thrive, and promoting a sustainable career in the sector.
Metamorphic by Theo Arraj
Toi Matarau
Toi Matarau in Ōtaki is an Indigenous art gallery located within the Māoriland Hub. Originally a temporary exhibition space for the 2019 film festival, it became a permanent gallery showcasing diverse Māori and Indigenous art. The gallery features traditional weaving, carving, digital art, and jewellery, and supports local artists through regular rotations and workshops. It also serves as a gathering place during the annual Māoriland Film Festival.
The Kilns at Te Horo
Nestled in the heart of Te Horo, The Kilns stand as a testament to the region's rich artistic heritage. Originally hand-built by renowned ceramic artist Mirek Smíšek, these historic beehive-shaped landmarks have been lovingly relocated and restored, transforming them into a must-visit destination for artists and visitors alike.
Offering an enchanting blend of art, history and scenic beauty - explore the surrounding native bush, visit the resident onsite potter, or take part in workshops held throughout the year.
Crafters, Makers and Creators
The Shed Project
The Shed Project offers innovative business opportunities for differently abled individuals, embodying the principles of Enable Good Lives. The social enterprise located centrally in Paraparaumu ensures everyone can contribute meaningfully by providing employment, education, NZQA-accredited courses, and vocational training. The talented community create a range of products for sale, including sustainable outdoor furniture, jewellery, and beautiful artwork, showcasing their unique skills and creativity. The Shed Project also provides opportunities to support mental wellness.
Creative Centre - Big Mac Slabs
The Big Mac Creative Centre in Paraparaumu showcases over 100 local artists work in all manner of mediums, 7 Days a week. The Centre is designed to support both emerging and established artists by providing them a place to display their work in the extensive galleries and gardens and to develop their business skills.
As the biggest Centre of its type in New Zealand, it has also become a tourist attraction and actively promotes the Kāpiti region as part of its collaborative approach.
In addition to the art galleries, the Centre also promotes home and garden products and services available in the region, and is the largest hub for the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail.
Lights, camera, action in Kāpiti
Credit: Māoriland
A vibrant hub for a variety of filming activities for the screen, Kāpiti provides a stunning backdrop for the big and small screen. Working closely with Screen Wellington, Kāpiti is home to numerous film-makers, producers, and directors, drawn to its creative vibe, accessible location and weather.
Māoriland
Nestled in the coastal township of Ōtaki, Māoriland is a vibrant hub for Māori film and creative arts, showcasing a unique and powerful Indigenous perspective. Since its inception in 2014, Māoriland has gained international attention for its annual Māoriland Film Festival, the largest international Indigenous film festival in the world, drawing thousands of visitors to Kapiti each year.
Māoriland also offers a range of exciting programmes and workshops focusing on film, digital technology, arts, and cultural education for both adults and rangatahi (youth) across the year.
The Māoriland Hub, a centre of excellence for Indigenous film & creativity hosts events, exhibitions, and educational initiatives, further enriching the local cultural scene. It houses Toi Matarau art gallery, providing Māori artists and creators with the perfect platform to develop and showcase their work.
Māoriland exists for the social, economic, and educational success of the Ōtaki community, connecting indigenous creativity and innovation globally.
Ōtaki is especially known for being a world-class indigenous screen hub, with a strong digital creative arts and indigenous programme at the Māoriland Tech Creative Hub. Māoriland attracts thousands of local, national, and international attendees to the Māoriland Film Festival, arguably Aotearoa’s premiere indigenous film festival.
In the spotlight
Renowned film director, screenwriter and published author, Linda Niccol is a Kāpiti Coaster through and through, championing Kāpiti as “the place to be”. Her love of the district is showcased in her award-winning movie 'Poppy', produced by Robin Laing and Alex Cole-Baker.
A place-based movie almost entirely set in Kāpiti, the Wairarapa stars in a burnout role, this heartwarming, inspirational movie challenges stereotypes and is the first Kiwi feature starring an actress with Down syndrome, the talented Libby Hunsdale as Poppy. It was also the first movie in New Zealand to resume filming after the pandemic’s lockdown.
The film continues to resonate with international and New Zealand audiences with a Cannes award and festivals requesting screenings.
Linda also co-wrote ‘Second-Hand Wedding', a highly successful New Zealand movie which made it into the Top10 at the New Zealand box office which was also filmed in Kāpiti.
Performance Arts
Te Raukura ki Kāpiti Performing Arts Centre
Te Raukura ki Kāpiti Performing Arts Centre is a partnership between Kāpiti College, Kāpiti Coast District Council and the Kāpiti community. It is the first publicly owned specialist performance space in Kāpiti and features two theatre spaces. The state-of-the-art facility seeks to meet the needs of rangatahi, local performers and the creative community. It attracts events from across the motu, including the Royal New Zealand Ballet and NZSO.
Mostly Music
Mostly Music is a platform created as Kāpiti’s guide to local music. The digital platform supports local musicians by spreading the word and sharing the aroha for live music happening in the district. In Kāpiti there are on average 10 live music events every week - especially in the summer months and Mostly Music shares a weekly gig guide to increase awareness of live music events, support the artists performing, and support the venues which open their doors to host musicians.
Credit: Andy Snaps