The Rotorua district is renowned as a cultural destination. The Government Gardens and Museum of Art and History are iconic features internationally and Rotorua continue to grow an enviable collection of public art.
Recent public arts projects have responded both to community desire to have artworks which reflect the stories unique to their communities and also to Councils commitment through the Art in Public Places Policy to integrate art into capital works projects.
As a cultural destination, Rotorua boasts an enviable collection of traditional Māori artworks and is home too many notable carvers and weavers as well as a growing number of contemporary artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.
These artists have played an important role in creating many of our recent public art works. In the Government Gardens you will find the Ōruawhata-Malfroy Fence, created by Jamie Pickernell, Rakei Kingi and George Andrews, Waitukei by Lyonel Grant as well as artworks dating back to the early 1900’s created under master carver Tene Waitere.
Muralist Marc Spijkerbosch has a number of artworks through out the district. In the city on power boxes and on the Rotorua Public Library wall, and on the Tarawera Road water reservoir.
In Ngongotahā artists Martin Tissink, Jane Matua, Jamie Pickernell, Paul Nicolai, Trevor Nathan and Martyn Evans have contributed to a number of works as part of the areas redevelopment.
A number of artworks can also be found at the Rotorua Arts Village Experience (RAVE). Opened in 2002, RDC won a Creative Places award for the Village, which houses one of the country’s largest mosaic floors designed by Marc Spijkerbosch and created by over 900 participants from the Rotorua community.
Our public art reflects our communities, our stories and heritage. You can find out more about our art and history in The Volcanic Heartland: Our Story Through Public Art which features many of the works. The guide is available to purchase from the Museum, RAVE, RDC, City Focus and The Redwoods Visitor Centre.