Creative Northland

03/06/2026

🎸 Daniel Champagne – Live at Forum North 🎸

📅 17 July 2026

It’s official… one of the world’s most exciting guitarists is heading to Aotearoa 🇳🇿
Recently hailed as “the finest guitar player of this generation”, Daniel Champagne brings his jaw‑dropping live show to an intimate tour of just 25 venues across the country – and we’re one of them.

🔥 After sold-out performances around the globe, this is your chance to see a true virtuoso up close.
Expect:

🎶 Mind-blowing guitar mastery
💫 Songs that hit you right in the heart
🌍 Stories from 18 years on the road
✨ A live show that’s been called “a once-in-a-lifetime experience”

From busking as a teen in rural NSW to sharing stages with legends like Tommy Emmanuel and John Butler, Daniel Champagne has built a global following and for good reason.

💬 “Do whatever it takes to get in the front row!” – Rhythms Magazine
💬 “A generational talent that must be seen to be believed.” – Roots Magazine

⚡ This will sell out. Don’t wait.
🎟 Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/daniel-champagne-live-at-forum-north-whangarei/whangarei/tickets

03/06/2026

Presenting the 2026 Puanga Matariki Festival 🤩 Please pick up one of these beautiful printed booklets to find over 40 community-run events in Whangārei, celebrating a very special time of year. You can also find the full event listing online:
✨ https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Events/Festivals/Puanga-Matariki-Festival

This year you'll find everything from light festivals to star-gazing, art exhibitions, expert talks and workshops. Lots of date-night ideas, whanau-friendly events, and most events are free!

The Matariki public holiday is on 10 July 2026 but this festival includes entertainment and learning opportunities between 15 June and 17 July. It is a time to encourage whanaungatanga, share stories and kai. It also marks the beginning of the Māori New Year, which traditionally was the time to plant trees, prepare the lands for planting crops and, more importantly, renew links with whānau and friends.

Ko Puanga te whetū i ārahi i ā Matariki ki te Tau Hou (Puanga is the star that guides Matariki to the New Year).

03/06/2026

The Great Plate 2026

Our largest annual fundraiser is back this October 2026!

Since 2008, The Great Plate (and 2024 Creative Cup event) has helped fund projects at the Quarry — from the addition of the Phoenix Soda kiln to supporting ongoing improvements to our Pottery Room. Thanks to our contributing artists and generous community, these initiatives continue to nuture our creative community.

We've invited an incredible range of artists, but there's space for a few more! Community members are welcomed to engage with Great Plate 2026. Express your interest by emailing [email protected] and use the form linked below to share the details of your great plate with us-

LINK https://tinyurl.com/y44b6cka
(form is also linked on our website and social media homepage)

Important dates to remember:

Opening Night: Thursday 22nd October | 5pm – 7pm
Exhibition Dates: Friday 22nd October – Wednesday 4th November 2026
Trade Me Auction opens: Thursday 22nd October | 6pm
Trade Me Auction closes: Friday 30th November
Exhibition closes: Wed 4th November
Date to collect plates purchased at auction: Saturday 7th November 9:30am - 4:30pm

Thank you to Richard Darbyshire for making this years plates.

02/06/2026

Meet Hunter, our colourful Hundertwasser-inspired horse who has become a bit of an icon here at the Creative Northland office.

Over the years, Hunter has featured in plenty of selfies, group photos, and creative moments, brightening up the space and bringing smiles to everyone who visits.

Recently, Liam, our part-time admin assistant, decided to take the Hunter photo tradition to the next level alongside one of our past interns, Tom from NorthAble.

Before anyone asks… no, we do not recommend climbing on Hunter, and don’t worry - Liam was not injured in the making of this photo.

If you pop into the Creative Northland office at the Whangārei Railway Station Building, make sure to say hello to Hunter and snap your own photo while you’re here.

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

OPEN FOR ENTRIES – MMCA 2026

Entries are now officially open for the Molly Morpeth Canaday Awards 2026 – celebrating 40 years of contemporary art in Aotearoa!

We’re thrilled to announce our 2026 Guest Judge, Judy Darragh – one of Aotearoa’s most influential contemporary artists.

Joining her is an outstanding panel of Preliminary Judges:
Ngaroma Riley
Matt Ellwood
Christina Barton

Over $30,000 in prizes and awards - including:

Molly Morpeth Canaday Major Award – $15,000
Akel Award Runner Up – $7,000
Craigs Investment Partners Youth Award – $2,500
Robinson Law Highly Commended Award – $1,800
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Commended Award – $1,500
The Mayor’s Prize – $1,500

Plus Merit & Special Awards:
• Our Place Magazine Merit Award – 3-page feature
• Browne School of Art Merit Award
• Gordon Harris Merit Award
• Frames by Daniel Merit Award
• 4Artsake Gallery Merit Award
• People’s Choice Award

This is your chance to be part of one of Aotearoa’s longest-running and most respected art awards.

Enter now and be part of MMCA 2026

01/06/2026

Looking for a space to get creative, experiment, or simply unwind through art? Come and explore the Creative Northland Art & Craft Maker Space - a free community creative studio located at the historic Whangārei Railway Station Building, Railway Road.

Open to the public Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 2pm, our evolving maker space is packed with donated creative materials from our amazing community. You’ll find paints, old canvases, magazines for collaging, colouring pens and pencils, craft supplies, creative odds and ends, and all sorts of unexpected treasures ready to spark the imagination.

Whether you want to paint, sketch, collage, create with friends, or simply play and experiment, this is a relaxed and welcoming space for all ages and experience levels. We even have kitchen facilities available so you can make a cuppa, warm up your lunch, and settle in for a creative afternoon. There’s plenty of room to spread out - including outdoor space along the railway platform + plus free WiFi if you want to research ideas or work on creative projects.

Come get experimental, meet other creatives, and help grow this exciting community space with us - we’d love to welcome you in.

31/05/2026

Whangarei District Council Creative Communities Scheme is now open!

Creative Northland is encouraging local creatives, groups, and organisations to apply for the WDC Creative Communities Scheme before applications close on 30 June.

APPLY HERE - https://www.wdc.govt.nz/.../Creative-Communities-Scheme...

To book a call with one of our creative advisors, email us at [email protected] team - that’s what we’re here for. From developing ideas to strengthening applications, we’re happy to help!

To book a call with one of our creative advisors, email: [email protected]