About

Open Studios Waitākere is a free annual weekend when artists living and working in the Waitākere Ranges open their studios to the public. Now in its twelfth year, the event brings together more than 80 artists across 40 studios, galleries and shared spaces — from Piha to Glen Eden, Titirangi to Te Henga.

It's a chance to meet local artists, see art in action, buy work directly from the maker, and understand how a piece comes together. Participating practices span sculpture, painting, jewellery, illustration, ceramics, printmaking, photography and tā moko, from internationally exhibited artists to those opening their doors for the first time.

How it works

There's no set route and no booking, you build your own self-guided tour and go at your own pace.

From October, the printed brochure and map will be available, listing every participating studio with its address and opening days. Pick them up from local libraries, cafés and galleries across the ranges, or request one in the post and we'll send you a copy. Choose the studios you'd like to see, plan a loop, and drive it over the weekend on your own or with friends. Most people focus on one or two areas rather than trying to see everything, the ranges are bigger than they look, and half the pleasure is the drive between studios.

You'd also do well to download the Open Studios Waitākere App, hosted on Auckland Stories. It's free, and gives you a second self-guided tour with a built-in Google map for easy navigation between studios, handy if you'd rather not juggle a paper map while driving.

Studios are open 10am–4pm on both days. It's free, it's family friendly, and you're welcome to visit as many or as few studios as you like.

Open Studios Waitākere is produced by Lightbox Projects and has been supported by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board since 2015.

A white wooden sign on a wooden porch announces that Shaw Road Ceramics Studio Shop is open with a black arrow pointing to the left, and includes social media handle @shawroadceramics at the top.
Map of Waitākere with highlighted trees indicating open studio event areas, including Bethells Beach, Piha, and Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, supported by Waitākere Ranges Local Board.

The Map

Open Studios Waitākere covers the entire Waitākere Ranges Local Board area — from Piha and Te Henga in the west to Glen Eden and Oratia in the east, and from Swanson in the north to Huia and Parau in the south.

To take part you need to live or work within this area. If you are not sure, check using Auckland Council’s Find Your Local Board tool, or view/download the PDF version of our Map.

If your studio sits just outside the boundary, email us anyway and we will let you know where things stand.

Find Your Local Board
map as pdf

Get in touch with the Open Studios team

Curious about Open Studios Waitakere?

Whether you have questions about our artists, events, or how to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Our vibrant community celebrates creativity and connection, and we want you to be a part of it.

CONTACT US
A large abstract artwork with a symmetrical design featuring geometric shapes, lines, and patterns in black, white, brown, and blue, mounted on a white wall above a wooden cabinet.
Person holding a Damascus steel kitchen knife with a wooden handle.
A minimalist living room with white walls and furniture. There is a white sofa and a white swivel chair. Three framed art pieces are hung on the wall, including a black-and-white portrait. A small side table and a stack of magazines are also visible.
Several ceramic bowls and pots with various earthy tones and textures are displayed on a wooden surface, with a sign that reads 'OKAY CERAMICS' in the background.