Creative Matakana has now wrapped up for good.

Creative Matakana had a year off in 2025 – mainly because our founder, Jo Connor had stepped down after seven years, and without her contacts, vision and enthusiasm, we needed to regroup. We were hoping to find someone who would take over the reins of Creative Matakana, but sadly this has not happened.

We’re very sorry to say that this means we’ve made the difficult decision to wind it up.

The website will still be online until November 30 – so head to our photo galleries for a wander down memory lane if you have been part of this creative juggernaut over the years!

A brief overview of our workshops

From 2017 to 2024 (with 2020 cancelled for a wee pandemic) Jo sourced high-end tutors, both from around Aotearoa NZ and internationally, to teach five-day and shorter art and writing workshops.

Our participants learned (in no particular order): painting in oils, acrylics, watercolours and cold wax, print-making and etching, creative writing, oral history and memoir; how to make a Windsor chair; travel sketching, botanical drawing, nature journalling and still-life; flax-weaving, garden design, photography, glasswork (casting and etching), stone carving, wood and concrete sculpture, knife-making, kintsugi and bonsai, ceramics, screen-printing, textile design (dyeing, artworks, embroidery), jewellery design, woodcuts and wood-turning, pastels, rug-making, bookbinding and typography, willow-weaving and corrugated iron sculpture.

one-day wonders

Let’s not forget our ‘One Day Wonders’ – for these, we were often privileged to access some of the region’s most beautiful homes, gardens and artist’s studios. We instigated thought-provoking panel discussions, featuring internationally-recognised NZ artists. We saw the work of some our country’s best architects up close and personal; we went sailing and walking to learn the history of the Matakana Coast; we foraged in lush native bush, learned all about NZ cheeses and tasted the world-class wines and olive oils of the area.

food

We’ve eaten some luscious food over the years too, created by superstar chefs such as Ben Bayley, Dariush Lolaiy, Monique Fiso, Fleur Sullivan and Mike Shatura. We’ve had gourmet lunches and dinners made by local restaurants and talented caterers, and eaten them in gorgeous homes and quirky locations around Matakana.

the warmest of thanks

None of this could have happened without the whole-hearted input of locals who, over the years, put their hands up to make hundreds of delicious biscuits, create flower arrangements and muesli for our participants and tutors; offered themselves as drivers, cleaners and organisers and opened their homes, barns, garages and halls – all in the name of helping others to create art.

Our incredible tutors came from all over Aotearoa NZ and from overseas (sourced by Jo throughout the course of the year via her art travels). Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge: you truly changed lives. In almost every workshop, there were tears of joy as people encountered the joy of creativity – which some had never known and others were coming back to.

Every August, Viv dusted off the spreadsheets to start the accounts, book the flights, accommodation and food. Each November, Kathy launched the new website. January’s online booking scrum had more than a few participants wailing in horror each year due to missing out on their favourite workshop – but most were eventually accommodated!

Participants came from around the country – some from even further afield, and those with friends in the area hit them up for their guest rooms. Some folks (come on down, Susy S!) hosted groups of art buddies year upon year. And everyone left having learned more about themselves and their own creative capabilities, and often having forged wonderful new friendships.

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors: Matakana Coffee Roasters have been there from the beginning, cheerfully handing over kilos of freshly ground beans every year for our lucky participants. Back in the early days, Scott Lawrie and the Vivian Gallery was very generous in getting us off the ground. More recently, Ezipeel Mandarins and Turbo Tonics kept our participants topped up with the good stuff.

Delectable liquid input from Matakana Estate Winery and Jones Road Cider was always gratefully received; Brick Bay and Christine and Richard Didsbury have been generous with the Glass House as well as hosting events in their own amazing home; the Smoko Room at Sawmill Brewery and The Farmers Daughter have also warmly hosted us. Special mention must also go to Robin and Simon Barclay who opened their home to Creative Matakana annually and have always worked hard to make everyone so welcome.

We are immensely grateful to the team at Harcourts Cooper & Co, who have funded and organised the Creative Matakana opening event every single year – most recently in the fantastic space at 8-Wired Brewery. This has always been a joyous event, and such a bonus for our wrecked team! Heartfelt thanks to you all.

We are so very grateful to everyone who has taken part in Creative Matakana, whether as participants, tutors or volunteers. It really has been a blast.

With best wishes

Jo Connor, Vivienne Kerr and Kathy Hunter

More about our area and our sponsors

Less than an hour north of Auckland, Matakana Village is well known for its Saturday farmers’ markets,
its beaches and vineyards. Creative and innovative people live here: artists and musicians, artisan food producers and winemakers. There are premium food and wine options, a range of vintage shops, boutiques and galleries, and a beautiful coastline with walks and regional parks to explore.