About KOAST

SUPPORT THE ARTS

The very first KOAST was held during Labour Weekend 2014. It has formed an integral part of the area’s vibrant art scene by offering local artists an opportunity to showcase their work in a unique way.

The event has built and expanded over the years.  In 2019, there were over 3000 visitors and 70 artists. The 2020, 2021 and 2022 events were cancelled due to COVID.  

In 2023,  the event has expanded to take in the Far North from Russell to the Hokianga and down the East Coast to Kerikeri. With a 143 artists, 7 galleries, many studios and shared studios as well as collective art hubs the event was really exciting attracting between 3,500 and 4000 visitors from Canterbury to the top of Tai Tokerau.

The 2025 event saw over 200 artists (from Kawakawa to Kaitaia) and over 5000 visitors attend from all over the country.

The event is an immersive experience with members of the public invited to come and see artists at work in their studios, chat with them and enjoy a wide selection of media.

Each year there are artists who paint in oil, acrylic, watercolour and mixed media, sculptors, jewellers, ceramicists, weavers and many more.

So, start planning to bring your friends to the art event in 2027 and enjoy driving around the beautiful region, including the Bay of Islands.  Explore the working studios where our artists create their unique work and you’ll find plenty of original art for sale!

You will need a Trail Guide which lists artists, their locations and the medium they work in, with the maps which enables you to find the studios and exhibits. The Guide also has a description about each artist – and you can find more on this website of course.

Thank you to the all the businesses and individuals who are helping us to sell 2025 KOAST Raffle and Trail Guides. Some of these are listed below.

If you would like to become involved in contributing to alternative exhibitions or events for the future, please send us your name, phone and email using this form, we’d love to hear from you

THANK YOU TO OUR SALES TEAM!

Thank you to following businesses who will be helping us to sell the Trail Guides during 2025.

Kawakawa –  Taonga O Te Au
Russell – South Seas Gallery
Kerikeri –  Sotheby’s, Kaleo Design, Little Black Gallery, Paper Plus, The Old Packhouse Market (Saturdays),  Redwoods Garden Centre, KeriBerries, BOI Automarine
Waipapa – Village Books
Paihia – Flying Fish, the iSite and Post Shop
Mangonui – Exhibit A Gallery, Artisan’s Gallery, Mar Daniells Studio, Old Oak Boutique Hotel
Kaikohe – Te Pu O Te Wheke Gallery
Rawene – No 1 Parnell Gallery, Ngapui Creatives
Kohukohu – Village Arts
Whangarei – The Bach Town Basin, The Quarry Arts Centre, Reyburn House
Kaitaia – Te Ahu Museum