Photography Exhibition

The Howick Photographic Society, in conjunction with the Auckland Festival of Photography, presents a vibrant exhibition showcasing a wide range of photographic work from its members. This collection features both award-winning and emerging photographers, with images spanning a variety of styles and perspectives.

Selected from across the Society’s membership, including those just beginning their photographic journey. The exhibition celebrates creativity, storytelling, and the art of capturing moments. All works are available for purchase, offering visitors the opportunity to take home something unique.

To mark the opening of the exhibition at Ormiston Town Centre, the Society will also present a Photographic Laundry, a playful and interactive display where photographic prints are hung on lines, inviting audiences to engage with the work. Visitors are encouraged to take a print home with them, creating a shared moment of connection and extending the life of the exhibition beyond the gallery space.

About the Photographic Society

Established in 1956, the Howick Photographic Society has been a valued part of the East Auckland community for nearly 70 years. The Society supports photographers of all levels, from absolute beginners to experienced practitioners, fostering a shared passion for photography through learning and connection.

Members take part in a range of activities including competitions, workshops, guest speakers, and outings. With a strong focus on mentorship and skill development, the Society provides a welcoming and supportive environment for anyone interested in photography.

New members are always welcome. To find out more, visit Howick Photographic Society or drop in to one of their Monday meetings.

Website: Howick Photographic Society / Auckland Festival of Photography

Arts Out East is a Te Tuhi programme supported by the Howick Local Board. This exhibition is part of the Auckland Festival of Photography .

The Connection Project

The Connection Project was created by artist Serena Stevenson, who invited local mothers and motherly figures, alongside their families, to take part in a free professional portrait experience. Across two days, Serena hosted relaxed photography sessions for the community, creating a welcoming space for participants to share their stories of motherhood. This empowering project celebrates whanau, intergenerational connection, and the shared narratives of the many forms of care that shape our communities.

These intimate images and described experiences create opportunities for motherly figures to be seen, to show their impact, to be heard, to be valued, and to be meaningfully represented.

The exhibition celebrates the strength, love, and diversity of motherhood in all its forms.

Exhibition in Botany Town Centre in between Mecca Maxima and H&M

Dates: Opens Saturday 09 May

View the Online Gallery

Artist: Serena Stevenson

This project is Funded by Arts Out East, a Te Tuhi programme supported by the Howick Local Board and Botany Town Centre ‍

Craft a Puppet Creature

Get creative in this fun, hands-on puppet-making workshop where fabric comes to life! Participants will transform soft materials into playful puppet creatures using simple, easy-to-learn techniques. With fabric, string, beads, ribbon, and decorative elements, you’ll design and shape a unique character inspired by the artist’s own puppet creations. Add a rod controller and watch your creature become a fully performable puppet!

Along the way, you’ll learn how to create shape and form from fabric, develop personality and character, and pick up basic hand-sewing skills, no experience needed. A selection of the artist’s puppets will be on display to spark ideas and imagination.

Once your puppet is complete, step behind a theatre-style backdrop to bring it to life! Perform, play, and snap photos of your creation in action.

This workshop is perfect for ages 8+ and offers an exciting opportunity to experiment with new materials, try something different, and build confidence in your creativity. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind puppet and a big sense of achievement.

Workshop Dates

Sunday 03 May 2pm - 4pm, at Botany Library

Sunday 24 May 1pm - 3pm, at Highland Park Library

Sunday 31 May 1pm - 3pm, at Pakuranga Library

Choose a session and book your time to create a puppet creatures.

This project is Funded by Arts Out East. Arts Out East is a Te Tuhi programme supported by the Howick Local Board.‍ ‍

Clay and Coffee

Participants joined Maraky Vowells for a unique hands-on ceramics workshop inspired by her Ethiopian heritage and the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a rich cultural practice centred on gathering, sharing knowledge, and celebrating community.

Throughout the workshops, participants learned both wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques to create complete sets of 4–6 Ethiopian coffee cups. More experienced makers also had the opportunity to craft a Jebena, the traditional Ethiopian coffee pot. While exploring Ethiopian ceramic traditions, participants were encouraged to draw inspiration from their own cultural backgrounds and personal stories.

The workshops focused on the building stage of ceramics, with Maraky completing the bisque firing and glazing process. Participants selected colours and finishes for their ceramic sets, resulting in a diverse range of unique works.

The project concluded with a special Ethiopian coffee ceremony, where participants gathered to drink buna from the cups they had created. Family members and friends were invited to attend, extending the experience beyond the workshop participants and creating a warm and inclusive community celebration.

The ceremony featured traditional elements including incense, fresh grass, music, light refreshments, and live-roasted coffee, providing participants with a rich sensory experience of Ethiopian coffee culture. It also served as an opportunity for participants to collect their finished ceramic works, reflect on their creative journey, and celebrate the connections formed throughout the project.

Dates and times:

Workshop 1
2 May, 9–12pm
Clay Studios
2 Bishop Dunn Place, Botany

Workshop 2
9 May, 9–12pm
Clay Studio
2 Bishop Dunn Place, Botany

Ceremony Day - This final session brings participants from Workshops 1 and 2 together to experience a traditional ceremony and receive their cups. they have created.
23 May, 11:30am–1pm
Bucklands and Eastern Beaches Memorial Hall
48 The Parade, Bucklands Beach.

Suitable for: All skill levels (age restriction 16+)

Follow Maraky: Instagram

This project is Funded by Arts Out East. Arts Out East is a Te Tuhi programme supported by the Howick Local Board.‍ ‍

Dream Weavers

Join us for a hands-on community weaving project where everyone is welcome, no art experience needed! Together, we’ll create a series of community dreamcatchers, inviting people of all ages and backgrounds to weave colour, fabric, and hopes into shared circles. Each piece will become a vibrant marker of belonging, showing how creativity can bind us together.

The workshops will be led by Dizzie Pixie, an award-winning mixed media artist based in Auckland, New Zealand. Known for her eclectic works made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, Dizzie Pixie’s practice blends art and community, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds through playful, hands-on creativity.

Grab recycled fabric strips, write a dream, wish, hope, or story on your strip, and weave it onto a circular frame. Plait, chat, relax, and watch a vibrant, textured artwork grow. Every strip is unique, yet together they form a strong, colourful, and lively design, showing how each of us brings something special to our community.

Weaving is an age-old craft that tells stories and builds connection. This project celebrates creativity, wellbeing, and sustainability, turning unwanted fabrics into joyful, meaningful creations. Bring your own special fabric if you like, sip a warm drink, and enjoy a mindful, playful space that welcomes everyone.

Pick a strip, write your story, and weave or plait it onto a circle at your own pace. The artist will bring all the dreamcatchers together into one large, layered community artwork. Participants are then invited to return with friends and whānau to see the installation, a celebration of creativity, connection, and community spirit.

Workshop Dates

Saturday 28 March 10am - 2pm, in the Cultural Hub in Ormiston Town Centre.

Sunday 29 March 10am - 2pm, in the Cultural Hub in Ormiston Town Centre.

Choose a session and book your time to be part of the community map.

This project is Funded by Arts Out East. Arts Out East is a Te Tuhi programme supported by the Howick Local Board.‍ ‍

Community Printmaking Workshop inspired by home

Ina Arraoui is delivering two printmaking workshops in East Auckland this March, each exploring connection, culture, and community in creative and accessible ways.

The first workshop takes place as part of the Howick Cultural Food Festival, where Ina will host a drop-in printing activity with a food-inspired twist. Participants will create prints celebrating favourite dishes, cultural traditions, and the tastes of home.

The second workshop, on Saturday 21 March, offers a more in-depth, hands-on printmaking experience centred on ideas of home, belonging, and community. Participants will create a printed paper house using imagery and patterns inspired by what home means to them, from favourite objects and pets to gardens and shared spaces. Using upcycled Tetra Pak cartons, they will etch, ink, and print their designs before cutting, folding, and assembling their printed house. Creative prompts will help spark ideas, and participants can add their first name, age, suburb, and a short response to a home-themed question, contributing to a collective snapshot of our East Auckland community.

The workshop is suitable for all ages and abilities, with no experience needed. All materials are provided.

Ina Arraoui is a contemporary print artist, educator, and curator based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She is passionate about using printmaking as a tool for community connection and creative expression, often working with alternative and upcycled materials to make printmaking accessible and environmentally conscious.

Session Dates

Session 1 – Festival drop-in
Saturday 7 March
10am – 2pm
Top of Picton Street, Howick
Part of the Howick Cultural Food Festival.
Drop in anytime during the session.

Session 2 – Booking required
Saturday 21 March 2026
10am – 12:30pm
Nixon Park Community Hall, 70 Sales Street, Howick
Limited places (youth under 16 need to be accompanied by a guardian)

This project is Funded by Arts Out East. Arts Out East is a Te Tuhiprogramme supported by the Howick Local Board.‍ ‍

Howick Frames - A Platform for Local Creatives

📍6 Wellington Street, Howick, Auckland

Howick Frames is a community-driven exhibition initiative that brings art into the heart of Howick. Created in collaboration with Phantom Billstickers, the Howick Village Association, and a supportive local business owner, this innovative project transforms everyday spaces into opportunities for creativity.

Each month, a new set of works is featured, showcasing a range of mediums from painting and photography to textiles and design. The rotating exhibitions not only provide local artists with greater visibility but also invite the public to engage with art as part of their daily lives.

By turning the village into an open gallery, Howick Frames celebrates creativity, supports our artistic community, and enriches the cultural fabric of East Auckland.

Current Exhibition: Through our Lens

Through Our Lens is a curated collection of photographs by the Howick Photographic Society (HPS), a long-standing creative cornerstone of East Auckland. For over seven decades, the society has nurtured a shared passion for photography, fostering connection, creativity, and storytelling within the local community.

HPS brings together photographers of all experience levels - from those picking up a camera for the first time to seasoned professionals. Through a culture of peer-to-peer mentorship, members learn from one another, refining their technical skills while developing a deeper understanding of visual narrative.

The works presented in this exhibition reflect the society’s ongoing engagement with the community. Each image captures moments of connection, celebration, and everyday life, revealing the people, places, and experiences that shape East Auckland. Together, these photographs form a collective portrait - one that honours the richness, diversity, and spirit of the community, as seen through the eyes of those who know it best.

HPS website

Past Exhibitions:

• Jessie Kanji: TELLURIC 2025/6

• Bobo Doodles: Vending Machine 2025

• Anju Desai: Neighbourhood 2025

• Brunelle Dias: Bom dia! 2024

• Local Schools: Matariki Owairoa 2024

• Brendan Kitto: Howick Ward 2024

  Howick Frames is a partnership between Arts Out East Howick Village Association and a local Business owner. Arts Out East is a Te Tuhi programme supported by the Howick Local Board.

Summer Groove Series in The Square

This summer, Ormiston Town Centre will be buzzing with the sounds of East Auckland’s talented musicians. Over five weeks, the Summer Groove Series in the Square brings live performances right to the heart of the centre, creating the perfect soundtrack to your summer days.

Audiences can expect a great atmosphere filled with music, community spirit, and the joy of discovering local talent. The lineup includes exciting performances from Amylia, Jenni Smith, Niklas Meads, Matt Parkinson and Jack Robertson, each bringing their unique sound and style to the stage.

Whether you’re stopping by for some shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or simply soaking up the sunshine, the Summer Musical Series offers the perfect chance to relax, enjoy, and support incredible homegrown talent. Come along for great music, great atmosphere, and a true celebration of local creativity.

Ormiston Town Centre
Saturday: 29 Nov, 6 Dec, 13 Dec, 20 Dec, 27 Dec, 3 Jan, 10 Jan, 17 Jan | 12PM – 2PM | Free | All welcome

29-Nov Jack Robertson

6-Dec Jenni smith 

13-Dec Jack Robertson 

20-Dec Niklas Meads

27-Dec Jenni Smith

3-Jan Jack Robertson

10-Jan Matt Parkinson

17- Jan Amylia

This project is a partnership between Arts Out East and Ormiston Town Centre. Arts Out East is a Te Tuhi programme supported by the Howick Local Board.

Ormiston Community Map

Join us at Ormiston Town Centre to be part of a unique community art project, the creation of a giant, collaborative map of Ormiston.

Bonnie the artist will prepare the base map by laying out the Ormiston street grid on a large, floor-sized sheet. Community members will then be encouraged to contribute drawings of landmarks, houses, shops, and personal touches that capture the spirit of our neighbourhood.

The final outcome will be a community-built street map of Ormiston, reflecting both the place and the people who live here, this will be displayed in Ormiston Town Centre. Led by local illustrator Bonnie, this project is open to all ages, completely free to join, and doesn’t require any prior art experience.

Come along, grab a pen, and help us celebrate Ormiston’s story – one sketch at a time.

Follow Bonnie: Instagram

Workshop Dates

Saturday 08 November 10am - 2pm in the Cultural Hub in Ormiston Town Centre Book a time slot

Sunday 09 November 10am - 2pm in the Cultural Hub in Ormiston Town Centre Book a time slot

Choose a session and book your time to be part of the community map.

This project is a partnership between Arts Out East and Ormiston Town Centre. Arts Out East is a Te Tuhi programme supported by the Howick Local Board.

Ink, Print, Play - with artist Jessie Kanji

These screen printing workshops are a series of hands-on workshop led by artist, researcher, and educator Jessie Kanji. The artist is offering a playful introduction to colour theory, pattern making, and the ancient craft of silkscreen printing. Taking place across the Howick Local Board area, the series includes three creative sessions using eco-friendly, water-based inks and a curated set of pre-exposed screens. Participants will have the chance to transform t-shirts, tote bags, or smooth fabric into wearable works of art. The first two workshops are tailored for adults (18+), focusing on screen-printing techniques, layering, and individual expression. The third session invites youth (12+) and families to join in, encouraging intergenerational creativity and shared making. Rooted in Kanji’s interdisciplinary printmaking practice, these free workshops are designed to foster community connection, creative exploration, and access to high-quality arts experiences. All skill levels are welcome, and materials will be provided, participants are also welcome to bring their own garments or fabric to print on.

Workshop one: Sunday 20 July (18+)
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Venue: Ormiston Town Centre - Cultural Hub next to New World

Workshops two: Sunday 27 July (18+)
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Venue: Ormiston Town Centre - Cultural Hub next to New World

Workshops three: Saturday 9 August (12 +)
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Venue: Captain Musick Air Scout Hall, 64 Pigeon Mountain Road, Halfmoon Bay, Auckland

Booking fee applies $15, workshops are free.

This is an Arts Out East Project in collaboration with the Howick Village Association. Arts Out East is supported by Te Tuhi and Howick Local Board

Learn Siva Afi - For Free in Pakuranga

Join us for Village Siva Afi, a free beginner workshop series introducing the exciting art of Siva Ailao Afi (fire knife dance). Open to ages 5 and up, these fun and engaging sessions are perfect for those who have never tried Siva Afi before.

Running across nine Saturdays from June to August at Pakuranga Leisure Centre, each workshop will teach the five basic Siva Afi moves, building towards a short performance routine by the end of the program. With support from Arts Out East, all registered participants will also receive a free practice stick to take home.

Workshops are led by award-winning tutors from Polynesian Entertainers, passionate about sharing this powerful cultural artform with the East Auckland community.

Spots are limited to 30 participants – registration is essential.
Workshops: Saturdays, June 7–August 30
Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Venue: Pakuranga Leisure Centre

Amo: Email

This is an Arts Out East Project in collaboration with the Howick Village Association. Arts Out East is supported by Te Tuhi and Howick Local Board

Coffee and Concepts

Coffee and Concepts is a new series of events designed to support the development of the arts in East Auckland.

Hosted by Ashley or Briana from Arts Out East, these sessions create a relaxed space for local creatives to connect, share ideas, and explore opportunities. Arts Out East supports artists and creative practitioners across East Auckland to produce and promote arts and cultural projects and events.

We love connecting with our community, and this series offers the chance to grab a coffee with us for a one-on-one conversation. Each session will focus on a different topic, from funding and future opportunities to developing creative ideas. These gatherings are designed to support artists at different stages of their creative journey.

It’s also a great opportunity to have us in one place, so you can drop in, ask questions, share ideas, and get advice.

The series includes sessions such as:

• Brainstorm Brunch - Saturday 11th April (10am – 12pm, at Te Tuhi Café)

• Funding and Futures - Saturday 9th May (10am – 12pm, at Te Tuhi Café)

  Navigating funding applications can sometimes feel like a bit of a minefield, but you don’t have to do it alone. Bring along a funding application you’re working on and the Arts Out East team, Briana or Ashley, can read through it with you and offer support, feedback, and practical advice.

  Whether you’re just starting an application or refining your ideas, this session is a chance to ask questions, get guidance, and build confidence in putting your project forward.

• Connect and Create - Saturday 13th June (10am – 12pm, at Te Tuhi Café)

  Bring your artwork along and share your creative process over a coffee. This relaxed session is an opportunity to connect with other creatives, talk about ideas, and spend some time making and creating together.

  Whether you’re working on something new, experimenting with ideas, or just want to share what you’ve been developing, this is a welcoming space to connect, create, and be inspired.

  Arts Out East is a @tetuhiart programme supported by the Howick Local Board