Sculpture in the Gardens at the Auckland Botanic Gardens
Sculpture in the Gardens is run by the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens and is hosted by Auckland Botanic Gardens. Every second year Aotearoa New Zealand artists are selected to show works in the exhibition over summer. Artists exhibit outdoor sculptural works in the beautiful and well-attended setting of the Gardens. And an indoor gallery also allows displays of small works. There is also a permanent collection on display throughout the year.
We are working behind the scenes on our next exhibition…
The 2026–27 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition will run from 14 November 2026 to 28 February 2027. We are planning another exciting exhibition of large-scale sculptures to explore in the stunning Auckland Botanic Gardens, along with the exhibition at the Huakaiwaka Indoor Gallery.
Call for Artists opens on 27 November 2027
Calling all artists – if you would like to be part of this renowned and popular outdoor sculpture show, start planning now.
Mark the dates in your diary or sign up to our eNews to get reminders:
Thursday 27 November 2025 – online applications open.
Wednesday 11 February 2026 – applications close.
Some of the many winners from previous exhibitions:
2021 McConnell Family Supreme Award winner – The Indigenous Clay Artists Collective, Taiki e! United in Purpose!
2019 McConnell Family Supreme Award winner – Marté Szirmay, Contained and Protected
2013 McConnell Family Supreme Award winner – Louise Purvis, Alterations
About
Samantha Lissette, Rose Cathedral (detail), 2008.
Sculpture in the Gardens is run by the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens and hosted by Auckland Botanic Gardens. It is held every second summer.
Permanent Collection
Jamie Pickernell, Bird Lady, 2012.
Every day, whether the exhibition is on or if we are between exhibitions, there is art to enjoy with permanent collection sculptures displayed throughout the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
Auckland Botanic Gardens
Find out about the beautiful Auckland Botanic Gardens, the onsite Cafe Miko, the plant collections, other events and more…
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Our Permanent Collection
There is art to enjoy every day at the Auckland Botanic Gardens with permanent sculptures displayed within the plant collections. Grab a ‘Permanent Sculpture’ brochure from the Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre to plan your walk around them, or simply come across them as you wander.
Jamie Pickernell, Bird Lady, 2012. South Lawn
Virginia King, Waka, 2001. Threatened Native Plant Garden
Jeff Thomson, Topiary, 2007. Urban Trees
Past exhibitions
2024–25 Exhibition
The winning sculpture for the 2024–25 exhibition is Andrea Gardner & Brit Bunkley for their work Cenotaph for a Snail.
Our last outdoor exhibition was held in 2024–25. You can see more about all the artists who exhibited in this show, and who took out the awards.
2021–22 Exhibition
The winning sculpture for the 2021-22 exhibition was Taiki e! United in Purpose! by The Indigenous Clay Artists Collective
Our outdoor exhibition held in 2021–22. You can see more about all the artists who exhibited in this show, and who took out the awards.
Archive of all past exhibitions
Richard Mathieson, Reservoirs, 2021 – Part of the permanent collection.
Our digital archive captures the history of Sculpture in the Gardens and forms a useful resource for the wider art world. We have held exhibitions featuring local artists since the establishment of the event in 2007. This archive presents a complete list of artists exhibited from then.
Watch our videos
Learn more about the 2024–25 exhibition. You can also find videos about each of the artists in the exhibition, on their artist page and on our YouTube channel.