New Zealand’s largest city is a cosmopolitan mix of culture and diversity that is powerfully portrayed in the Auckland street art scene. With an ever-changing mix of colour and style, there is a seemingly unlimited example of talent found in our communities.
You would be hard-pressed to find a business district in the city that didn’t have some sort of public art. Auckland street art ranges from classical painting to modern graffiti-like styles. Similarly, the city’s sculpture covers a range from traditional Māori carvings to random and contemporary.
Historically, the rules around street art have changed over the years from the illegal tagging of the 90s through today’s frequently sponsored and often commissioned Auckland street art. Below you will find both permanent and temporary work.
If you ask the artist, there is a story behind every work. Below, we have focused on five key artwork themes: community diversification, Māori heritage, pacific culture, nature, and those that are primarily fun and funky.
First, let the city itself inspire you …
Street art focused on the blending of cultures
In 2016, Heart of the City commissioned several talented New Zealand artists (Dick Frizzell, Askew One, Sara Hughes, Chris Heaphy, and Flox) to create heart-shaped public art.
One of these is this predominantly red and black piece entitled Dragon by Chris Heaphy. It represents New Zealand’s blend of Māori and European cultures. Located on Federal Street, it was featured at Art Week 2016.
Notice the Maori warrior proudly standing on the whisker of the dragon and the European on horseback upon the claw.
Taking a lighter approach, check out this K Road Auckland street art. It is a fun and funky representation of the cultural diversity that is Karangahape Road.
Auckland street art that embodies Māori culture
Māori inspired artwork can be found throughout the city. Often depicted in sculpture, here are a few of our favourites.
- “A Maori Figure in a Kaitaka Cloak” sculptured by Molly Macalister. The unconfirmed story told by one of our guides is that this piece was originally commissioned to sit outside of Britomart station, but it was moved.
- Pou Tū Te Rangi by Chris Bailey is seven pou (carved wooden posts) that protect a courtyard in Britomart and provide a symbolic link between the locals and earth and sky.
- Te Waharoa o Aotea is a gateway carved by Selwyn Muru. Located on Queen Street at the entrance to Aotea Square, it symbolically transforms the square into a marae (meeting place) and the Aotea Centre into a meeting house, according to Auckland Live.
Auckland street art that reflects our Pacific neighbours
Bright and colourful, this Tongan-influenced piece by Benjamin Work is entitled: Tu’i ‘o e ngaahi Tu’i. It is on Fort Lane, just outside Everybody’s Bar.
Our natural beauty reflected in street art in Auckland
This critically endangered takahe painted by Flox (Hailey King) is one of 16 New Zealand bird murals in the Britomart car park. Each level of the car park features a different bird, all by Flox.
Fun and funky street art in Auckland
While I am sure there are significant stories and often cultural significance between much of the city’s public art, on our visit, we just saw these as fun and funky. How about you?
We don’t know the titles and artists of all of these; however, this is what we know:
- “Lane Change” is a relief piece by John Radford on Mills Lane in the Auckland CBD
- Fire Window by American Artist Eric Orr, 1996. If not for the weather, there would be flames at the top.
- We discovered this black and white piece in a Ponsonby alleyway.
- Another colourful piece is found in a Ponsonby alleyway.
More fun and funky art
- A copy of one of the world’s most famous pieces, the original by Michelangelo, appears on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy and portrays God giving life. I wish I knew which talented artist painted this one in the CBD.
- This is Wellington-based artist Xoe Hall creating an in-progress piece on Auckland’s K-Road as part of All Fresco, a public event hosted by the city. She is one of several impressive New Zealand street artists we met that day as they spruced up the neighbourhood.
- Entitled “Just a Wee Drop” by Elliot Francis Stewart, this is Jeff’s favourite Auckland street art, and it’s located in the Aotea Arts Quarter.
Memorial art
A mosaic memorial is embedded in the footpath at the port where the Rainbow Warrior was sunk in 1985.
Street art that no longer exists
One thing about street art, it’s not permanent. And, while I haven’t returned to check, I believe the three here no longer exist.
The first two are from restaurants in Auckland. Bellota, an authentic Spanish tapas eatery, chose to close, while the piece on Mexico Restaurant’s exterior wall was peeling the last time we saw it, which was during a city tour. Our guide pointed out that it is a good example of paste-up paper art, tailing on from the days in which street art was illegal. It was quicker to do part of the art on paper and then paste it up.
The third piece, commissioned in 2014, is one of my favourites, as I am partial to staircase art. (We saw an extensive amount of this type of street art in Valparaiso Chile. It is a collaboration between Askew One, Elliot Francis Stewart, and Gary Silipa.
How to see Auckland street art
The easiest way to enjoy public art in the city is simply to walk around, aware of your surroundings. It’s everywhere. Look up at buildings, down alleyways, and all around. If you want a more formal environment, here are a few options.
- Auckland Art Week historically falls in October and offers several free walking tours, including street art. Be sure to get on their mailing list and sign up early as they fill up.
- Hīkoi to Britomart Guided Walk of Contemporary Māori Street Art – This one hour tour runs from the Auckland Art Gallery to Britomart exploring significant Māori public artworks. Reserve your Maori street art walking tour here.
- Auckland Hidden Gems – This 3-hour guided walking tour will help you discover Auckland’s hidden gems, often filled with cafes and street art. Reserve your spot on an Auckland gems walking tour here.
For more fun things to see and do in Auckland, read about the free things to do in Auckland.
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What do you like best about Auckland street art?
More regions in New Zealand in which we featured street art:
alissa apel
I want more street art like that in the US. Gosh we’re lacking. All of it looks so cool.
Eloise
I didn’t know Auckland had so much street art to see. I’ll keep it in mind for our next visit.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
I like the ribbons and bells the best. Does someone come back later and take it all down? My 2nd favorite is the spray chalk and stencil “carpet” which I imagine is quite a challenge to execute in rainy weather. I’ve seen a lot of paste up art before but always considered it more along the lines of advertising than artful expression.
kid can doodle
This is the type of event I would have loved to have gone to. We discovered Laneways in Melbourne —they’re very cool, and they tried to introduce them in Brissy. cheers from Kid can doodle!
anto
Awesome! I really loved Auckland each time I visited and hope to be back there. I think I actually remember seeing some really funky art around town, I mostly love modern art so this would be a great event to attend. Shame that it’s on the other side of the world for me though…
Paula McInerney
Love the music of the 70’s walkway and the ribbons. Love it all
Vicky and Buddy
I love that it encompasses all kinds of art. I like street art and murals, but I like to see other forms as well. I really liked the bonsai art!
Jennifer (aka Dr. J)
Great street art gives a city character. I love visiting places with great street art – feels like I’m getting a glimpse into the city’s soul. Thanks for sharing!
Cathy
I love artistic events! Great mix of art here, wish I was closer:)
Ruth
Very colorful and ingenious! I like the heart theme and the different display on the floor. Seems like a cool event to attend with the entire family.
Carmen's Luxury Travel
I love cities with great street art! I need to put Auckland on my list. Great post, thanks for sharing :0
Lauren Bonheim
I never knew Auckland was so artsy! This week of events sounds like so much fun! I love taking art tours, as I’m not very good at figuring out the message behind art myself, so this looks like something I would love to take part in! 😀
Clare
Great to see pics of auckland, I lived there for a year and had a great time 🙂
eileen g
I love these kinds of events that get a whole city involved in art and that make it accessible to everyone. they are usually also pretty kid-friendly, too.
Trekking with Becky
I love the dragon! I thought it was Chinese, and I never would have noticed the Maori warrior or the European on horseback if you didn’t point them out. I love those details.
Vicki Louise
I saw the Rainbow Warrior Mosaic a few years ago when I was in Auckland, but would love to be there for the Street Art Festival – there are some amazing pieces. I love all the Hearts for the ‘Heart of the City’ – they’re really cute!
Drew
Love street art. One of my favorite activities to check out in a new city. So many cities have a growing scene. Just spent time in Belgrade, and did a fantastic street art tour, with most of the street art made in the last few years. Auckland has some impressive pieces of art too!
Kerri
Really love it how they have even included the roadway. Street art really is developing a life of it’s own now isn’t it. Great photos, great celebration of something that is so col.
Indrani
This is really a wonderful outlet for creative people. In Bangalore too we have some thing similar, but is is held just once a year! But the idea is catching on small streets too put up similar such displays.
budget jan
I love that city laneways are invigorated by artwork. It keeps the city alive and attracts locals and visitors alike.
Greg - OnthewaytoTV.com
I love street art and it makes me so happy that more and more cities are getting covered with it. One of my favorite cities is Gorgetown, Penang.
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
It’s all amazing! But I really love sidewalk art. I hope the rain didn’t keep washing it away. #wkendtravelinspiration
jill
I really like the Tiffany Singh ribbons – there’s just something about art installations like hers that appeal to me. Looks like an incredible week of art!
Juliette | Snorkels to Snow
Awesome – as an ex Aucklander I love this sort of thing, I love how much happens during art work right across the city. Great to get behind the up and coming artists and support the arts as a major industry.
Amy
oh I wish that I had seen all that, Auckland city always seems to have so much going on, in a good way 🙂
Lolo
I find street art to be quite interesting. I can love it or I can hate it. But it certainly always brightens up any town! #Wkendtravelinspiration
Suze - Luxury Columnist
So many wonderful artworks! Which was your favourite? We’re on our way back from Venice and there’s an amazing mix of contemporary art and old masters
David
Very colourful and festive! I really like the chalk and patterns on the ground. Don’t you just hate when there’s something really cool to photograph but is impossible to capture properly.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
cool street art!:)
kelleyn rothaermel
Fun ! Thanks for sharing! Every city is so unique. Love how it is even taken down to the ground level,
Ellen
Wonderful variety! I’m partial to dragons, but they’re all nifty things. Thanks for the tour; enjoyed from here in San Jose.
JM Illinois U.S.A.
Enjoyed the Art Walk in Auckland this week via your blog. It was so exciting!
Teresa Kindred
The heart is awesome!
Indah Nuria Savitri
I love the dragon and the colorful heart indeed 😘😘😘.
Comedy Plus
Love all the great colors. Great shots as always.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
L. Diane Wolfe
Some of it is so simple, yet beautiful.
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
What awesome artwork!
Kathe W.
I love all the hearts! Have a lovely day!
Alissa Apel
I love the 2nd one down. I always wonder how long it lasts though. I’d think with people walking, cars driving and snow scooping it wouldn’t last long. It’s so cool though! The ribbons and circle bouquets are really neat too!
Jackie
I love all of it!!
Donna Simon
I walked by that tree with the bells yesterday. The gentle ringing is really cool.
Bill
Nothing like walking along a street looking at Art
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
You’ve convinced us! We’re coming to Auckland. D is just waiting on a confirmation on our accommodation in Hastings and then he will book the airfares. If you are around in February we have to get together and you can tell us all the things we should be doing in your beautiful city.
Julie K Pick
Love the array of colorful street art! It’s a shame that the chalk and stencil carpet has to be reapplied after it rains. You can see all of the creativity that went into this project.
Beth
I am going on one of the heritage tours next weekend. I am looking forward to it.
Ellen P
I love all the hearts around the city.
Rajlakshmi
It’s always a pleasure to walk in streets filled with amazing artwork. Beautiful pictures 🙂 We are going to have Sculpture by the Sea soon in Sydney.
Amila Wickramarachchi
Beautiful street art.I like the colourful ribbons much.Just pretty and creative!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Moss spheres. Never seen anything like that.
I really dig the first one with the dragon.