New on the Kaipara Coast, 40 minutes north of Auckland, is a unique sculpture trail set in an award winning rural oasis.  The combined vision and grit of landowner, curator and artists has resulted in an inspiring contemporary art treat for locals and visitors. 

New on the Kaipara Coast, 40 minutes north of Auckland, is a unique sculpture trail set in an award winning rural oasis.  The combined vision and grit of landowner, curator and artists has resulted in an inspiring contemporary art treat for locals and visitors. 

Against the backdrop of the Kaipara harbour, the one kilometre trail winds through a secluded valley containing a slice of almost every type of iconic New Zealand landscape: manicured lawns, citrus orchards, grassy slopes, regenerating bush, old farm fences, pine forest, potagers, and ponds. 

Sculpture, sound, and installation works selected and developed for each context make mini-galleries within the valley.  Works are revealed as the path twists and turns, seen from vantage points where picnic spots and seating invite visitors to rest and contemplate the art.

Kaipara Coast Sculpture Garden brings to life the vision of local man, David Bayly, who twenty years ago learnt to propagate plants on a piece of his father’s land.  David bought land as he was able to afford it, wanting to create the best garden centre in New Zealand, a goal he achieved when the Kaipara Coast Plant Centre won the Yates North Island Garden Centre of the Year Award in 2007.

Alongside developing the plant centre, David Bayly planted trees and shrubbery in an adjacent valley, with a dedicated sculpture trail in mind.  In 2007, gallerist and artist, Sally Lush, was appointed Curator of the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens which opened in November 2008 with a focus on contemporary sculpture by established and emerging New Zealand artists committed to the ongoing development of their practice.

Exhibition 2010, the second exhibition at Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens, will be opened by Hon. John Key Prime Minister on 6 November and features new work by Gill Gatfield, Sharonagh Montrose, Trish Clarke, Peter Lange, Jenny Smith, Richard Wedekind, Jocelyn Pratt, Jin Ling, and others.

Works exhibited include carving in stone and wood, sound, installation, kinetic, glass, ceramic and metal sculptures.  The exhibition of works, which are all for sale is open for 11 months enabling visitors to experience the artworks as the seasons change.