Sculpture Northland

For five days each May, over 100 sculptures appear throughout Whangārei Quarry Gardens. They nestle among tropical plantings. They frame waterfalls. They occupy historic quarry ruins. They create unexpected encounters along garden paths. Sculpture Northland, now in its ninth year, has become one of Northland’s most anticipated arts events, bringing together the region’s sculptors in a setting that does justice to three-dimensional art.

The timing is deliberate. May marks the transition into winter, when subtropical gardens still look lush but cooler weather makes outdoor wandering more comfortable. The exhibition runs Wednesday through Sunday, giving people multiple opportunities to visit. Most come on weekends when the gardens see peak attendance, but the weekday openings allow quieter appreciation for those who prefer solitude with art.

Entry costs $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 5 to 12, with under-fives free. The modest admission supports both the exhibition and the gardens themselves. All proceeds go to Whangārei Quarry Gardens Trust, making this the major annual fundraiser that keeps the volunteer-run gardens operating and developing. Visitors get art exhibition and garden access in one ticket, creating value that brings people from across Northland and beyond.

The Venue

Understanding Sculpture Northland requires understanding Whangārei Quarry Gardens. This 60-acre subtropical oasis exists because volunteers transformed an abandoned commercial quarry into flourishing gardens over more than two decades. The transformation is remarkable. What was industrial extraction site now contains rare plant species, themed garden areas, waterfalls, a lake, historic ruins and bush walks connecting to surrounding Pukenui Forest.

The quarry’s unique geography creates diverse microclimates. Sheltered areas support delicate tropical species. Exposed sections suit hardy natives. The varying elevations, orientations and moisture levels allow exceptional plant diversity. Walking the gravel paths, you encounter camellias, palms, succulents, native bush, ornamental trees and everything between. The gardens hold a five-star rating from the New Zealand Garden Trust and recognition as a Camellia Garden of Excellence from the International Camellia Society.

For sculpture display, this setting is perfect. The varied terrain provides natural display options. Sculptures can occupy open lawns for maximum visibility or nestle into plantings for integrated viewing. The historic quarry ruins offer dramatic backdrops. Water features reflect works. The lush growth creates changing contexts as you move through gardens. Each sculpture finds or creates its own space within the broader landscape.

The gardens remain open year-round on donation, with the Quail Cafe operating Wednesday through Sunday. During Sculpture Northland, the gardens transform but don’t fundamentally change. The existing beauty simply gains an additional layer through curated sculpture placement.

The Artists and Works

Around 45 artists participate each year, representing the breadth of sculptural practice across Te Tai Tokerau. Some are established professionals with national reputations. Others are emerging artists building recognition. The exhibition welcomes diverse approaches and varied experience levels, creating a show that represents the region’s sculptural community rather than imposing narrow curatorial vision.

Materials span the full range of sculptural possibility. Bronze castings. Steel constructions. Stone carvings. Wood sculptures. Glass pieces. Ceramic works. Mixed media assemblages. Recycled materials transformed into art. The diversity reflects individual artists’ preferences and the practical reality that Northland sculptors work with whatever materials suit their practice and budgets.

Scale varies enormously. Small tabletop pieces sell for hundreds of dollars, accessible to average buyers seeking art for homes. Medium works occupy that sweet spot between affordability and substantial presence. Large outdoor sculptures command prices reflecting the materials, time and skill required to create substantial three-dimensional works. The range ensures something for every taste and every budget.

Work quality reflects serious artistic practice. These aren’t hobby crafts or decorative garden ornaments (though some pieces serve those functions beautifully). Many sculptures demonstrate sophisticated technique, conceptual depth and artistic vision developed over years or decades of practice. Even more accessible works show craftsmanship and creative thinking that distinguishes them from mass production.

The exhibition includes a cash and carry zone featuring smaller works people can purchase and take immediately. This practical addition recognizes that many visitors prefer buying pieces they can transport themselves rather than arranging delivery for larger sculptures.

Experiencing the Exhibition

Visiting Sculpture Northland involves wandering. The sculptures aren’t concentrated in single gallery space but distributed throughout 60 acres of gardens. You follow paths, discovering works as you explore. Some sculptures announce themselves boldly in open areas. Others hide in corners, rewarding careful attention. The distribution encourages slow movement and genuine looking rather than hurried viewing.

The garden context matters enormously. Unlike white cube galleries where sculptures exist in neutral space, here everything interacts with surroundings. A bronze figure stands against native bush. A stone carving catches sunlight filtering through palm fronds. A steel construction reflects in the lake. The relationships between sculpture and setting create additional layers of meaning and aesthetic experience.

Weather changes the exhibition. Morning light differs from afternoon. Overcast days create soft illumination. Sun produces dramatic shadows and highlights. Rain makes some surfaces shine while obscuring others. Water features become more prominent. The living, changing nature of the outdoor venue means no two visits are identical even if you return multiple times during the five days.

Artists often attend during opening hours, particularly weekends. Meeting sculptors provides opportunities to discuss work, understand creative processes and ask questions about technique or intention. These direct conversations add depth to viewing and create personal connections between makers and appreciators.

The People’s Choice Award invites visitors to vote for favorite sculptures. Ballots let everyone participate in recognizing work that resonates. The democratic nature of the award means popularity rather than critical assessment wins, but that’s appropriate for an exhibition aiming to connect regional artists with broad audiences.

Special Features

Recent years have added interactive elements beyond pure viewing. The Woven Bridge community art project in 2025 invited visitors to weave natural materials onto a large loom, creating collaborative artwork everyone contributed to. These participatory elements recognize that some visitors want to make as well as view art.

Artists in residence during the exhibition period demonstrate sculptural techniques. Watching someone carve stone, weld steel or shape clay provides insight into how sculptures come into being. The direct observation of skilled practice demystifies sculptural process while highlighting the expertise involved.

A VIP preview evening before public opening lets sponsors, artists and invited guests view the exhibition in relaxed atmosphere with refreshments. This fundraising event adds revenue while rewarding supporters who make Sculpture Northland possible.

Parking shuttles operate during busy weekend periods, ferrying visitors from overflow parking at Kensington Park to the gardens. This practical solution prevents parking chaos while ensuring accessibility during peak attendance times.

Supporting the Gardens

Sculpture Northland exists primarily as fundraiser. The volunteer-run Whangārei Quarry Gardens Trust needs substantial annual funds to maintain and develop the extensive gardens. Staff salaries, plant purchases, infrastructure maintenance, utilities and countless other expenses add up quickly even with volunteer labor handling much work.

The five-day sculpture exhibition generates significant revenue through gate admissions, sculpture sales commissions (artists donate a percentage to the gardens) and associated activities. This concentrated fundraising allows the gardens to continue operating year-round on donation entry, maintaining accessibility for everyone regardless of economic circumstances.

Sponsors support the event financially, with local businesses contributing funds or in-kind support. The 2025 sponsor list included construction companies, investment advisors, scaffolding businesses, hospitality venues and retailers. This broad business support demonstrates community recognition of the gardens’ value and the exhibition’s significance.

Volunteers make everything work. The gardens themselves represent decades of volunteer labor. Sculpture Northland requires additional volunteer effort for exhibition setup, visitor management, artist liaison and event coordination. The community investment in making both gardens and exhibition succeed reflects collective commitment to maintaining this public asset.

Accessibility and Practicalities

The gardens are largely wheelchair accessible, with wide gravel paths throughout. Some sections involve slopes, but motorized wheelchairs typically manage. Disabled parking sits behind the Visitor Centre. Accessible toilets and facilities meet needs of visitors with mobility challenges.

The gardens operate a strict no dogs policy. Kiwi live in the surrounding Pukenui Forest, and dogs represent serious threats to these endangered native birds. The gardens also maintain smoke-free and vape-free environment, ensuring pleasant atmosphere for all visitors.

Quail Cafe operates Wednesday through Sunday during exhibition dates, providing food and beverages. The cafe overlooks gardens, offering relaxation points during longer visits. Booking ahead for meals is recommended during busy periods.

Entry tickets are available at the gate via cash or eftpos. No advance booking required, though checking the website before visiting confirms exhibition dates and any special conditions.

The gardens are located at 37A Russell Road in Kensington. From State Highway 1, take Rust Avenue, turn right into Western Hills Drive, then left into Russell Road. Signage guides visitors from main roads. The location remains convenient for travelers passing through Whangārei on northbound journeys.

The Broader Context

Sculpture Northland fits within broader efforts to support visual arts in Te Tai Tokerau. Creative Northland, a regional arts development organization, supports the event as part of broader commitment to strengthening creative sector across Northland. The exhibition provides professional development opportunities for sculptors, sales opportunities otherwise difficult to access and public exposure building recognition.

For artists, Sculpture Northland matters economically and professionally. Direct sales provide income. Exhibition inclusion strengthens portfolios and CVs. Meeting potential buyers and galleries creates networks. Public response validates practice and motivates continued work. These practical benefits support artists continuing to create sculpture in a region far from major art market centers.

For the Whangārei community, the exhibition demonstrates local creative capacity while providing accessible cultural event. Many visitors who might not regularly attend galleries or seek out sculpture find themselves engaging with three-dimensional art simply because it’s integrated into gardens they’re already visiting. This incidental exposure builds broader arts appreciation.

A Growing Event

From modest beginnings, Sculpture Northland has grown into a significant regional arts event. Early editions featured fewer artists and smaller crowds. The proven success encouraged expansion, more artists wanting to participate and increased visitor numbers creating positive feedback loops.

The 2025 ninth edition shows the event becoming established tradition. People mark calendars. Artists plan work around the exhibition deadline. The gardens benefit from reliable major fundraiser. The event has found sustainable model balancing artistic quality, community accessibility and financial viability.

Future growth might include longer exhibition periods, though the five-day concentration creates manageable volunteer commitment. More artists could participate as interest grows, though space constraints eventually limit numbers. The core format works well enough that major changes seem unnecessary. Refinements and additions keep the event fresh without fundamentally altering what makes it successful.

Experience Sculpture in Paradise

Sculpture Northland offers rare opportunity to experience substantial sculpture exhibition in setting that enhances rather than competes with the work. The subtropical gardens provide beauty that complements artistic beauty. The outdoor venue creates relaxed viewing atmosphere. The direct artist access adds personal dimension gallery shows often lack.

Whether you’re serious sculpture collector, casual art appreciator or simply someone who enjoys beautiful gardens, Sculpture Northland delivers. The modest entry fee supports important community asset while providing access to art and nature in combination that feels distinctly Northland.

For exhibition dates, participating artist information, ticket details and garden information, visit www.whangareigardens.org.nz/sculpture-northland or contact the gardens at events@whangareigardens.org.nz.