Arts Whakatane
The Eastern Bay of Plenty with its stunning coastal outlook, warm and sunny climate, has a burgeoning arts scene. It is in a region bounded by the Pacific Ocean’s blue depths and the rugged mountains of the Te Urewera National Park.
These outstanding natural surroundings have long provided the inspiration for many artists in the region. There is a genuine relaxed atmosphere in Whakatane that enables our artists and craftspeople to make full use of their creativity, resulting in a huge quality and variety of crafts. The vibrant arts and crafts scene has been influenced by the revival and resurgence of Maori culture, so predominant in our area.
Our region also inspires the performing arts scene with theatre groups, dance and performance contributing a rich array of events and activities to our community.
Arts Whakatane (formerly the Whakatane Community Arts Council) initiate and support projects that stimulate and strengthen the artistic and cultural life of our community. Arts Whakatane run and support events such as the Summer Arts Festival, the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Exhibitions and national arts tours. Find out more about arts projects and events on their events calendar.
President Arts Whakatane - Scott Jarrett. scott_jarrett@xtra.co.nz
Programme Coordinator - Heather Hourigan. hghourigan@gmail.com
Share This Page
Stay in Touch With Whakatane
My Favourites
You can add things to your favourites list and they appear here allowing you to quickly jump between them. You can also list them all and print them for your break.
Did You Know?
Zip on down!
Whakatane is under five hours’ drive from Auckland, and just 90 minutes from Rotorua.Holidaymakers
Whakatane welcomes around 50,000 holidaymakers over the summer months.What a scorcher!
In 2012, Whakatane was the sunniest spot in the whole of New Zealand! Whakatane scores the country’s hottest temperature around 55 days a year. Summer daytime temperatures generally reach 20-25°C.Whoooom-whoooom!
Some nights, kiwi can be heard as they roam the hills, under 10km from Whakatane town centre.Ka-boom!
Whakaari (White Island) erupted as recently as 2001. Boulders the size of cars were tossed around the volcano crater.Zip on down!
Whakatane is under five hours’ drive from Auckland, and just 90 minutes from Rotorua.Holidaymakers
Whakatane welcomes around 50,000 holidaymakers over the summer months.What a scorcher!
In 2012, Whakatane was the sunniest spot in the whole of New Zealand! Whakatane scores the country’s hottest temperature around 55 days a year. Summer daytime temperatures generally reach 20-25°C.Whoooom-whoooom!
Some nights, kiwi can be heard as they roam the hills, under 10km from Whakatane town centre.Ka-boom!
Whakaari (White Island) erupted as recently as 2001. Boulders the size of cars were tossed around the volcano crater.
