The great Kiwi Art Trail is back!

23 Oct 2024

The colourful kiwi have returned, and this time they’re coming to Tauranga, Napier, Whangārei and Auckland. From October 2024 – March 2025, amazing New Zealand artists are giving kiwi their colour back. 

The Kiwi Art Trail is a free, family-friendly public art trail for all to enjoy. When the trail ends, the sculptures will be auctioned and proceeds will go towards kiwi conservation. 

In 2023, Auckland played host to the inaugural Kiwi Art Trail. This year, the kiwis are hitting the road around the North Island – so if you’re planning a road trip, you can now add kiwi spotting to your itinerary! 

Brought to you by Save the Kiwi and Gallagher, the Kiwi Art Trail is designed to raise awareness about the plight of the kiwi and what every day New Zealanders can do to help. Proceeds from the auction will go towards raising the next generation of kiwi at the Gallagher Kiwi Burrow, a facility managed by Save the Kiwi that incubates and hatches kiwi chicks and releases them into the wild.  

Let’s take a look at some of the artists and their kiwi painted in Resene paints and colours: 

Tōnga o terā was painted by Sarah Oostendorp. Sarah has always believed that artists should create what they love or what they hate. She has fallen in love with the evening sky.A couple of years ago, Sarah found herself in a vulnerable place and began a journey to regain her spark, confidence and life back. She started going on long walks around the city and getting lost in her thoughts at sunset. They helped give her a new perspective on life as she began to read the evening skies as a symbol for a better tomorrow.Sarah finds nature has an incredible power to bring comfort to those who are suffering. Her sunset kiwi - Tōnga o terā - isn’t about hope because hope can be hopeless. It’s about action. Her intention for this kiwi is to inspire others to put into action a desire to live more passionate, fuller, delightful lives. Tōnga o terā is painted in Resene Colour Me Pink, Resene Blackcurrant, Resene Sunshade, Resene Hyperactive and Resene Blue Gem.  

Kiwi with the Golden Beak 2.0, by Ema Frost, is painted in an aqua blue, Resene Riptide,which represents the expansive ocean that protects our amazing beloved flightless bird. It also has adornments of gold that showcase the rarity and charm of these precious creatures.Ema’s delicate artworks take inspiration from mythical folklore and her overseas adventures. It serves as a reminder of the importance of kiwi conservation and our collective responsibility to protect these cherished native birds.  

Bloom Bird, by Amanda Billing, is a celebration of freedom, movement, colour and bold expression. Its design also points to the importance of shadowy times and spaces in our lives. It was conceived and created in a spirit of experimentation. It’s unashamedly feminine, its shadows make its colours and light qualities pop, it’s layered and slightly chaotic - like the best of us! Bloom Bird is painted in Resene Poppy, Resene Havoc, Resene Hyperactive, Resene Energy Yellow, Resene Crusoe, Resene Home Run, Resene Riptide, Resene Seance, Resene Studio, Resene Scrumptious and Resene Lip Service. 

For a glimpse of the other colourful kiwis and to read about the artists click here. 

Be sure to make a day of it with the family and visit the kiwi before the end of March 2025! 

Published: 23 Oct 2024