Kiwi Art Trail 2024/25 heading to Whangārei in January

Gallagher Insurance, Save the Kiwi and Whangārei District Council announced today that the third stop on the Kiwi Art Trail 2024/25 itinerary will be Whangārei in early January, after Tauranga in October and Napier in November.

Principal sponsor Gallagher Insurance (formerly known as Crombie Lockwood) says Whangārei is an ideal location for the Kiwi Art Trail because the city is so close to the real thing.

“Whangārei is right in the heart of wild kiwi country, so it just makes sense to take the Kiwi Art Trail north,” says Gallagher Insurance Sponsorship and Sustainability Manager Cam Castle. “We’re excited to pay homage to this taonga species while showcasing New Zealand’s incredible art.”

Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo says the Kiwi Art Trail will help Northlanders share their unique kiwi conservation story with visitors to the region.

“Every summer we see an influx of domestic and international visitors to the Whangārei region,” says Cocurullo. “The Kiwi Art Trail will give locals and visitors another reason to come into the city. Kiwi and kiwi conservation is incredibly important to Northlanders, so being able to express this through art will be a wonderful opportunity.”

To add a uniquely Whangārei flavour, a campaign for two local artists to participate in the trail also started today.

“We’re excited to add a real Northland twist to the trail. We can’t wait to see what our talented local artists come up with.”

Olivia Garelja, Director of Creative Northland, says, “The Whangārei artist community is dynamic and ever-evolving, marked by its creativity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to cultural expression.

“It’s awesome that our artists will now have the opportunity to contribute to such a good cause – particularly because their art will have a direct impact on local kiwi conservation efforts.”

When the trail ends the sculptures will be auctioned. Proceeds will be donated to kiwi conservation efforts, with proceeds from the sale of the two Northland sculptures going to local initiatives.

Save the Kiwi representative Ross Halpin says kiwi conservation groups near Whangārei  and in wider Te Tai Tokerau do exceptional work to restore the kiwi population in the region.

“Northland is one of the few places in New Zealand where kiwi often live very close to humans,” he says. “In just about every direction from Whangārei, you could very realistically see a kiwi in the wild thanks to the effort of many dedicated kiwi conservation groups. To bring the Kiwi Art Trail to Whangārei will be a wonderful way to celebrate local kiwi conservation efforts and share this important mahi in a fresh and vibrant way.”

Featuring 20 kiwi sculptures that have been designed by talented New Zealand artists, the Kiwi Art Trail is a free, family-friendly art installation that celebrates our national icon, the kiwi.

The Kiwi Art Trail will kick off in Whangārei in early January and run for 4-5 weeks. The fourth and final location will be announced in the coming weeks.

Click here to apply to become one of the local contributing artists.