WAIPU ART IN MOTION: A CREATIVE REVIVAL
Photos Jennet Penney and Dave Klum
A group of passionate locals recently came together with a shared goal to bring wearable art back to the heart of Waipu.
With the beloved Art'n'Tartan event no longer running and a community longing for its return, Waipu Art in Motion (WAM!) was born. Staged across three sold-out shows at the historic Coronation Hall, WAM! offered an intimate, community-centred experience that reminded audiences why wearable art holds such a special place in Waipu’s cultural identity.
The event served as a fundraiser for the Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST), raising an impressive $15,000. To keep costs accessible, promotion was driven through Facebook, local publications, and billboards sponsored by Maxar Architecture. Additional support flowed in from Creative New Zealand, The Tai Tokerau Artisan Fashion Trust, James Alexander of Ray White, Craig Cogan, Waipu ITM, and Kaleo Designs of Kerikeri.
WAM! drew twenty entries across five categories, each exploring a different facet of creativity and storytelling: Flash Trash, transforming discarded materials into couture; Crazy About Culture, honouring the diverse cultures of Aotearoa; Legends of Land and Sea; Fabulous Flora and Fauna; and Climate Catastrophe, confronting urgent environmental themes. Prizes were awarded across the full field rather than within categories, allowing the strongest works to shine on their own merit.
Under the artistic direction of Debi Walters Brown, the production exceeded expectations. Audiences praised the calibre of design, the strength of the modelling, and the dynamic contribution of young dancers who elevated each garment’s storytelling. The first half unfolded as a series of striking moving tableaux – forests with gremlins emerging from the mist, a whimsical ocean scene complete with a dancing lobster, a parlour where famous portraits sprang to life, and a dramatic retelling of Pandora’s Box featuring dancers from Bream Bay College alongside Ephriam Ronn Masqueda from Waipu. Each scene earned enthusiastic acclaim.
Buoyed by community support and artistic energy, planning for WAM! 2026 to be held in October is already underway. Categories and entry forms will be released on the Waipu Art in Motion Facebook group and local community channels, inviting artists to register their interest and be part of the next chapter in Waipu’s creative renaissance.
Facebook: Waipu Art In Motion
WINNERS - pictured left to right below.
BEST OF THE BUNCH
Tied Together by Kyla Mansell
An amazing garment made from men's neckties. Designed and sewn entirely by hand by 15-year- old Kyla, a student at Bream Bay College.
IMPACT ON STAGE
Kyla Mansell
WORKMANSHIP
The Craw by Caroline Stocking, modelled by Joanna Jory
A magnificent artwork based on childhood dreams of a creepy Scottish crow.
YOUNG DESIGNER
The Voice that Cannot Speak by Charlie Kate Brown, modelled by Charlie Kate
Charlie is an 11-year-old student of Otamatea High School and created her grungy wedding dress entirely from trash she had picked up on the beach. It symbolised her concern for the state of the world’s oceans.
MODEL WITH ATTITUDE
Corralie Betts modelling Canvas It by Chrissy Hackett and Pam Crawley
This eye-catching entry was made from opshop paintings and really came to life with Corralie’s bold, edgy movements on stage.
