NEW ZEALAND

craft lovers ADVENTURE to NEW ZEALAND ​
February 13 - 24, 2024
​CAUCUS MEMBERS ONLY
$5,345 PER PERSON DOUBLE ROOM
​$6,567 PER PERSON for SINGLE ROOM

Swoon over the contemporary craft of New Zealand in this unique craft lovers trip! Art Travel NZ organizes this one-of-a-kind 12 day trip, featuring stops in some of New Zealand's most popular cities including Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. With input from JRACraft caucus member, craft collector and NZ resident, Peggy Greenfield, this trip is sure to delight the craft lovers in all of us.

Cost includes accommodation in 4 star hotels in central Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, domestic flights on Air New Zealand from Auckland to Wellington, to Christchurch and back to Auckland and some meals.

trip itinerary

tuesday, february 13- Auckland

​Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand. Arrive today and transfer to your hotel in downtown.Your hotel is available for immediate check in this morning. Welcome cocktail and city introduction.

wednesday, february 14- auckland

Visit Objectspace this morning for a talk on the place of New Zealand craft and object art on the world stage.
From Objectspace we head west toward the Waitakere Ranges to visit Te Uru Contemporary Gallery to view the Portage Ceramics Award. An annual exhibition of contemporary New Zealand ceramics. Enjoy drink at the home of JRACraft Caucus Member Peggy Greenfield, followed by a group welcome meal.

thursday, february 15- auckland to wellington

This morning we check out and transfer to the airport for our one hour flight to Wellington.
On arrival we visit Avid Gallery and Jhana Miller Gallery. Avid Gallery specialises in contemporary jewellery and objects. While Jhana Miller Gallery has a crossover of young artists and makers. Afterwards we will enjoy a group meal nearby.

friday, february 16- wellington

We enjoy a visit to our national museum Te Papa Tongarewa this morning and enjoy a behind the scenes experience with the Objects curator. We lunch at Te Papa and then head around the harbour to the Dowse Art Museum. It has a focus on craft and object art.
We will meet the director, Karl Chitham, one of the key promoters of New Zealand Aotearoa craft and objects. Dinner will be on your own.

saturday, february 17- wellington

Today we meet two local makers, a collector and take a drive around Wellington’s waterfront. The rest of the evening is free to join your guide to visit local art galleries, head back to Avid or wander the waterfront.

sunday, february 18- wellington to christchurch

We check out and fly to Christchurch this morning.
On arrival we visit the Christchurch Art Gallery and Arts Precinct for a city orientation. Christchurch has changed substantially since the 2010 earthquakes devastated the city. Learn about SCAPE – the annual sculpture festival as we travel around the city and enjoy a meal with fellow guests in the evening.

monday, february 19- christchurch

This morning we travel over the Port Hills to visit Ohinetahi, the home and garden of architect Sir Miles Warren at Governers Bay, spend time in Lyttleton and return to Christchurch after lunch via a local studio.
This afternoon we visit The National, the local craft, object and contemporary jewellery gallery and Dilana Rugs and learn about their bespoke artist carpets. A free evening in Christchurch gives you a bit of time to explore the city at night.

tuesday, february 20- christchurch

This morning we pack our bags for the last time and head back to Auckland. On our return we visit Sculptor Gregor Kregar in his studio before heading to the Auckland Studio Potters.

Wednesday, February 21- christchurch to auckland

Today we board our bus for a journey north of Auckland to the small community of Matakana. Our focus here is to meet two local glass artists and stop for lunch at Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. Brick Bay hosts a winery, restaurant and sculpture trail. On our way back to Auckland we stop by the studio of ceramicist Virginia Leonard.

thursday, february 22 auckland

Today we spend the day in town, visiting Auckland Art Gallery, Fingers, a contemporary jewellery collective celebrating 50 years in 2024. We head up town to Masterworks Gallery, which specialises in contemporary objects and jewellery, and finish up with a drink at Anna Miles Gallery where we learn about the practice of makers Tyrone Te Wa, Richard Stratton and Peter Hawkesby. Here we may also bump into Richard Fahey, noted lecture and passionate collectors of New Zealand craft and objects.

friday, february 23- auckland

We head out on the water today to visit Waiheke Island. A visit to Auckland is not complete without time on the Waitemata Harbour. We are known as the City of Sails after all. Enjoy time on the island, lunch at a celebrated winery, visit an artist studio and again bump into Peggy Greenfield to say goodbye. We then return for a farewell dinner.

saturday, february 24- onward

Optional extra day/night: Today you may extend your stay and join us to visit Gibbs Farm. Gibbs Farm is home to a range of large scale sculptural works by the likes of Anish Kapoor, Richard Serra and Sol Lewitt, Daniel Buren and Maya Lin among others. Otherwise you are welcome to check out and head home at your leisure today.

SEE THE FAQ

This is expected to be one of our most popular trips in recent history. Become a Caucus Member and register today!

tHE TRIP IS NOW FULL - please contact [email protected] to BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST

All cancellations must be made in writing to the James Renwick Alliance for Craft at [email protected] at least one month in advance of the trip start date. Refunds, less a cancellation fee of $150 per person and the non-refundable JRACraft contribution of $500 per person. No refunds will be made after January 5. We strongly reccomend making sure your trip insurance can cover any health-related cancellations. In the case that JRACraft cancels the trip for any reason, a full refund will be issued.

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. Further guidance about this will be sent as the trip nears. 

You may be asked to produce a Covid vaccination certificate and adhere to any and all New Zealand government regulations and requirements around Covid, if any at the time of travel.

​You are responsible for any visa’s to enter New Zealand such as the NZeTA