A standout feature: a free Sculpture Trail at Viaduct Harbour.
With a wide range of exhibits, installations, guided tours and talks, this year’s Aotearoa Art Fair marks the largest presentation in its history.
Running from April 30 to May 3 and spanning 60 galleries and over 200 artists from Aotearoa and abroad, the fair will transform all three levels of the flagship Viaduct Events Centre into a showcase of must-see work from local legends, international heavyweights and emerging creatives alike.
But with so much to see, it can be tricky knowing where to start. The beauty of Aotearoa Art Fair is there truly is something for everyone, from casual appreciators to seasoned aficionados.
For the fair’s Director and long-time collector Sue Waymouth, there is no wrong way to enjoy the event – but if she imagined her “perfect itinerary”, it would start with brunch at Bivacco, followed by a leisurely wander around the fair’s Sculpture Trail.
Now in its second year, this free-to-access trail, which is presented by Viaduct Harbour in association with Auckland Live* transforms Auckland’s waterfront into an open-air gallery, embedding large-scale sculptures into everyday cityscapes.
Highlights include Ngaroma Riley’s interactive poi installation, Kapahaka Queen; Sione Faletau’s Lalava ki he Uho – Connected to the Essence, where the sounds of Waitematā Harbour and their frequencies have been translated into kupesi patterns and Gregor Kregar’s brand-new Cumulus Structure, a reflective, luminous cloud floating above the water.
At the end of the trail, you are rewarded with ANZAC – a Māori waharoa (gateway) honouring fallen Māori soldiers, created by celebrated local artist Lisa Reihana – which forms a magnificent threshold into the centre. The 24 works (up from 9 in 2025) will call the precinct home from April 10 until May 4.
Then, it’s time to marvel at the large-scale and immersive installations, including works by influential New Zealand painter Bill Hammond, Korean artist Lee Bae, and South Sudanese artist Atong Atem.
Make sure to visit in Pursuit of Venus [infected], a landmark digital panorama by Lisa Reihana, and Dresstories by Sāmoan-Japanese artist Yuki Kihara.
