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CollaboratioNZ
Creating Together. Learning Together. Sharing Together.
Testimonials
After meeting several artists from New Zealand at our Hawaii collaboration. I was so inspired and determined to travel to Aotearoa. My dream came true in 2025. I was able to join and collaborate at Whangarei Head! Having the opportunity to meet the Glass artist of your community, as well as collaborate for a full week with the amazing artist of many medium in your country has been the best of times and lasting of influences. Connections to Hawaii and its culture through weaving, pattern used in wood, and simply connecting as friends and art family we can create anything we set our minds too. More importantly, we take this influence into our artwork that we do in our own lives and community and continue evolving in the process.
- Evan Jenkins, Hawaii, 2025
I had heard great things about collaborationz from a friend who had attended the 2021 event, it was everything he said and more when I attended in 2023. The thing that stood out to me was the other artists ability to turn recycled materials into works of art, having been a scrap metal artist for years I thought I knew all the tricks but I definitely took new skills and techniques away with me which I now put into my own work.
- Nathan Hull, Taranaki, NZ, 2023
First one was 2023.... Sid Ware told me it would change my life.. didn't quite realise at the time he was right... fine work as ever Sid😁. I had no clue what I got myself into.. completely overwhelmed and in awe of the talent and items being made... took a while to to work out what was happening but then started working on a pūkāea and it all of sudden seemed to made sense. Seriously epic people, the Mikes... the woodies, the Metcalfe's to name a few..quince liquor...a Walker speciality.. made a week I will never forget!
Round two 2025, committee, chaos more epic people, another pūkāea ... if I allowed back... sign me up for the next one!!!
- Simon Morling, Northland, NZ, 2025 & 2023
I was lucky enough to attend Collaboration NZ once, 2021—called in last minute thanks to COVID reshuffles, and what a gift that turned out to be.
A few unexpected blips along the way, but it ended up being one of the most inspiring and genuinely life-changing experiences. It felt like being back on set - surrounded by insanely talented creatives, fully immersed in the process, just pure artistry and connection. If everyday life felt like that, I’d be all in without hesitation.
I left feeling inspired, understood, and truly valued in my craft. I haven’t made it back since (now based in Australia), but it’s firmly on my list. Super grateful to have experienced it.
- Shellyann Matiu, Northland, NZ, 2021
I love our collab and it made a huge difference feeling like a real artist amongst all others with wild ideas. So good to embrace other arts forms.
The location is awesome with a sense of being in a holiday paradise with the beach next to it. Hans, one of the original members, invited me many moons ago but I did not take up the opportunity to my later regret.
March every second year is blocked in my calendar. Cannot wait and already have a stash for the resource table.
- Elke Radewald, Northland, NZ, 2025
More skills, more practices, more collaboration, more community - you name it, there's more of it!
- Melissa Reve, Auckland, NZ, 2023
In comparison to similar events held internationally that I have attended, I have found the NZ “collab” as it is parochially known, to rival any I have attended abroad.
The formula is simple; artists are permitted to create in a totally unfettered way, works from raw materials provided by the hosts and other attending artists.
While there seems to be no structure in how things are created, incredibly beautiful pieces of art spring from totally unlikely eclectic associations within the attending group.
To have the chance to work with ‘top of their game’ international artists, who make time in their busy schedules to attend this event, is an amazing privilege.
I can’t stress enough the wonderful opportunity such contact with talented international artists affords people such as myself, and other kiwi artists who are lucky enough to attend.
Dr Lyonel Grant – renowned Maori carver
2009 Arts Foundation Laureate
Tena koutou,
I have for several years been an active participant in the bi-annual gatherings that attract both international and local artists. These events create an environment whereby practitioners of various disciplines come together and create unique works of art. The relationships developed are enduring and imbue a very strong sense of community amongst the participants.
Nga mihi
Alex Nathan ONZM
What an absolute delight to combine a travel across the globe from the US in 2023 with Auckland’s museums and a stint in the north at Collab NZ making in response to cultural learning, the landscape and community. With having a good case of wanderlust contrasting my solo studio existence, this was the very first time combining travel with actual making and not just sponging inspiration to take home. Offering up the objects made that captured this convergence to the auction benefiting the next collab brought it full circle. Forever grateful for the invite 😊
Lisa Klakulak, USA, 2023
Join Us
Whether you're an artist, supporter, funder, or visitor, you are warmly invited into our world of collaborative creation. Let’s continue building a future where artistic knowledge is shared, celebrated, and passed on - together.
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