What’s on
Meet our artists
The successful artists for the 2026–27 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition are:
Bev Goodwin and Jeff Thomson (Helensville, Auckland); Bill Devoy (Te Awamutu); David Maruariki (Glen Eden, Auckland); Fish Radich (Hastings); Gina Ferguson (Avondale, Auckland); Greg Tuthill (Whanganui); Jack Taylor (Taupō); James Wright (Clevedon, Auckland); Jamie Pickernell (Rotorua); Jane Downes and Mario Downes (Christchurch); Jessy Rauora Mete (Christchurch); Oliver Stretton-Pow (Waiheke Island); Riki Waugh (Stanmore Bay, Auckland); The Growth Industry Group (nationwide); The Indigenous Clay Artist’s Collective (nationwide).
Sculpture in the Gardens 2026–27
The tenth Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition opens on Saturday 14 November and runs until 28 February 2027.
Sculpture in the Gardens is an exciting exhibition of large outdoor sculptural works by Aotearoa New Zealand artists, brought to you by the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens and supported by Auckland Council and the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
The selected artists exhibit works in the beautiful and well-attended setting of the Gardens. And an indoor gallery also allows displays of small works. This free event is a great opportunity to see large-scale works from some of Aotearoa’s leading sculptors on a 1.7km sculpture trail throughout the Gardens.
Huakaiwaka Indoor Gallery
Alongside the ourdoor exhibition, the Huakaiwaka Indoor Gallery offers a varied range of medium and small scale sculpture from the artists exhibiting in the outdoor show, as well as work from previous exhibitors and invited guest artists from all over the country. Curated by Cheryl Wright, the show will reflect the incredible diversity of contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand sculptural practice.
Audio described tours
This summer, Sculpture in the Gardens is offering two free guided tours for visitors who are blind or vision-impaired. Led by Nicola Owen from Audio Described Aotearoa Ltd, the tours provide detailed descriptions of the sculptures, alongside the opportunity to touch the artworks for a rich sensory experience.
Tour dates:
• Tuesday 17 November 2026, 10.30am
• Saturday 13 February 2027, 10.30am
Wiri Rambler ‘Train‘
The Wiri Rambler is a small tractor train, towing carriages with up to 15 passengers. Tours run on Sundays between 10.45am and approximately 2.45pm and last 20–25 minutes. Buy your tickets at the visitor centre reception before boarding.
$5 per adult / $2 per child (up to 13yrs, accompanied by an adult) / Free for under 3yrs (only on an adult’s knee, otherwise $2)
Permanent Collection
Nestled in our gardens along walkways and at the Huakaiwaka visitor centre, discover the Auckland Botanic Gardens’ permanent collection of sculpture. This growing collection is a legacy of commissioned work and past sculpture exhibitions, of generous benefactors and the vision of garden curators who have incorporated artwork into their horticultural work. The Gardens embraces and responds to new ideas about art, storytelling, interpretation and cultural expression to reflect Auckland and its diverse communities.
Pick up a guide to the works when you enter the Gardens. Each piece has a story and a connection to their garden surroundings. Whilst you walk this beautiful 2.5km trail, enjoy the Gardens, a work of art in themselves.
