Waimakariri Arts Trust

The Waimakariri Arts Trust is a charitable Trust (CC47138) and manages the Kaiapoi Art Expo. The Trust's objectives are to facilitate,educate and foster support of art in the Waimakariri District and to contribute to the Waimakariri District's reputation as a cultural area for the benefit of the people of the Waimakariri District by:

  • Encouraging new and existing opportunity for the arts, promoting and educating people in the Waimakariri district about the arts.

  • Encouraging community participation in creative and artistic events, workshops, projects and exhibitions.

Projects sponsored by the Trust

  • Windswept by Raymond Herber 2024

    Installed on Ohoka Road, it was commissioned by WAT as a gift to Kaiapoi.

  • Rivertown Voice 2023

    An effort to continue the Kaiapoi Advocate after its demise lasted for a year and was supported by WAT.

  • Joel Hart Mural 2018

    Joel painted a mural free of charge on the building by the railway line in Kaiapoi after his appearance as guest artist at the Kaiapoi Art Expo.

  • Writing and Art Classes

    Kaiapoi Community Education classes 2011 were offered at Kaiapoi High School on Memoir Writing and Art for Beginners.

  • Kaiapoi Obelisks 2009

    A Waimakariri Community Arts Project led by Jackie Watson and sponsored by multiple local businesses, four obelisks were installed on the Kaiapoi riverbank.
    Each obelisk features ceramic artwork.

    Artists are Rachel Harre and Frank Malone with Mark Larsen, Michael Michaels, Margaret Ryley and Susan Sky with Ian Lamont. 

  • The Mill is Kaiapoi

    A mural of the Kaiapoi Woollen Mills by textile artist Mary Kelleher.