Kāpiti Coast Art Trail 2026: Raumati South Studios And A Seaside Stay

What The Kāpiti Coast Art Trail Is

The Kāpiti Coast Art Trail, Te Ara Toi o te Takutai o Kāpiti, is an open studio event. Instead of one exhibition hall, artists welcome visitors into the places where they actually work: home studios, garden sheds, converted garages, shared workshops and small galleries. You meet the maker, see the tools and the mess, and hear the story behind the piece on the table.

It started in 2001, when a small group of local artists organised a single weekend to show people the work behind the art. The council became involved the following year, and the 2025 guide described it as one of the largest open studio trails in Aotearoa. The council's July 2026 announcement says the event has now run for 26 years.

For 2026 the council lists 117 sites from Paekākāriki in the south to Ōtaki in the north. The official website says more than 140 artists are taking part in open studios and shared spaces, plus 13 galleries representing more than 300 artists in total. Mediums include painting and drawing, ceramics and pottery, jewellery, sculpture, textiles, glass, mosaic, photography, printmaking and woodwork.

The participating artists page carried roughly 139 listings when we checked in mid-October, a mix of individual studios, shared spaces and galleries. A couple of those were already marked as withdrawn, which is a useful reminder that the list can change right up to opening day. Make your final check the morning you head out.

It is self-guided. There is no ticket and no set route. You choose the studios that interest you, drive, cycle or walk between them, and stay as long or as briefly as you like at each one.

2026 Dates, Hours And What Has Changed

The 2026 trail runs earlier than usual. In previous years it was held over two weekends in November. This year the five open days are:

Moving the first weekend onto Labour Weekend is helpful for visitors from Wellington and further afield, because the public holiday turns it into a natural three-night break. The second weekend is usually a little quieter and suits people who prefer more time in each studio.

Entry to the studios has been free in previous years. Artists sell their work directly, and many take card payments, but it is sensible to carry a little cash for smaller purchases. Opening hours, participating artists and details can change, so check kapiticoastarttrail.co.nz before you head out each morning.

How To Plan Your Trail Online

The trail website has a planning tool that is worth ten minutes of your time before you arrive. You can create a free account, browse the artists and save the ones you like to My Favourites using the heart icon.

Artists can be filtered by location, by medium, and by features such as "New to trail", "Award winning artist", "20+ year artist", "Open on Monday (Labour Day)" and "Wheelchair/baby buggy accessible". You can view the results as a list or on a map. The eleven location filters run from Paekākāriki, Raumati South and Raumati in the south through Paraparaumu, Paraparaumu Beach, Waikanae, Waikanae Beach, Peka Peka and Te Horo to Ōtaki and Ōtaki Beach. Raumati Beach studios sit under the plain "Raumati" filter.

Once you have favourites, the planner builds a route. Because it uses Google Maps, a single route can hold up to 10 stops. If you want to see more than that, the website suggests planning several routes grouped by suburb. You can open each route in Google Maps on your phone or email it to yourself.

A printed guide is distributed through cafes, galleries, libraries, local businesses and Coastlands Shopping Town in the lead-up to the trail, with every artist listed by location and a map for each area. When we checked in mid-October the website said the 2026 printed guide was about to go to print and a digital version was coming soon, while the 2025 guide was still online. If you prefer paper, pick one up when you arrive and mark your choices over breakfast.

The website also runs prize draws for Art Trail vouchers that can be spent with participating artists, one for newsletter sign-ups and one for people who start planning a trail online. If you are planning anyway, it costs nothing to enter, but read the competition terms on the site first.

Studios Listed In Raumati South

Raumati South has a long reputation as a creative, alternative-leaning community, and that shows in the 2026 artist list. These are the Raumati South stops shown on the official participating artists page at the time of writing. Check the website for any changes and for which days each artist is open.

Three of these are on Rosetta Road, which makes an easy mini-loop. The Esplanade studio is close to the beach and the Queen Elizabeth Park entrance at the southern end of the suburb.

Raumati Beach: The Village Cluster

Raumati Beach village is just north of Raumati South and has one of the densest groups of trail stops on the southern coast. Several share addresses, which makes it efficient on foot once you have parked.

• Kāpiti Arts & Crafts Society Shop, 20 Raumati Road. A village shop that has supported community arts and crafts for close to 50 years, known for paintings, mosaics, jewellery, woodwork, pottery and handknits.
• Kāpiti Gallery, 192 Matai Road. A long-established gallery with changing exhibitions from local art and craft groups.
• Two Sisters Pottery, 29 Kaka Road. Janet McDonagh and Sue Wilson's ceramics and garden art, from bird baths to humorous creatures, shown in a garden setting. Kado Creative Studio (handcrafted jewellery and artisan goods, new to the trail) shares the same address.
• 3 Alexander Road. Amelia Hadfield's expressive oil paintings and Michelle Connolly's hand-built ceramics (Komo Clay).
• Chrissie Sallis Art Studio, 35B Manawa Avenue. Illustrative portraits and nautical imagery across ceramics, watercolour, etching, linocuts, jewellery and drawing.
• Kirsty Glasgow, Sustainable Artist, 132 Matatua Road, and White Feather Studio (Nicki Young), 46 Rata Road.
• Te Ara Korowai, 8 Weka Road. Artworks from a variety of artists created in an inclusive community centre.

While you are in the village, look for the boutiques and gift shops that Wellington's tourism body describes as part of Raumati Beach's character. It is an easy place to pause for coffee between studios.

Paekākāriki: The Southern Gateway

Paekākāriki is the small seaside village at the southern end of Queen Elizabeth Park, and the first stop on the trail if you are coming from Wellington. It has its own cluster of studios, several of them on Ocean Road and Beach Road near the water.

• Heylo Silversmith and Jeweller (Gina Goad), 51 Ocean Road. Watch jewellery being designed and hand-made in a working studio.
• Harriet Bright Pottery Studio, 43 Ocean Road. Practical, beautiful pottery for daily use by a full-time potter.
• Holtom's Art Studios (Dianna Fary), 1 Beach Road. Oil paintings by a self-taught artist with 25 years of practice, in the historic Holtom's Building.
• Holborow Gallery (Bob Zuur), 4 Ames Street. Photography of the Kāpiti Coast.
• Neil Gardiner Ceramics, 65 Wellington Road, and Vunilagi Vou (Vasemaca Tavola), 2 Miriona Grove, a studio centred on Pacific textile practices that is new to the trail.

The appeal of Paekākāriki for a Raumati South base is that you do not have to drive there on the highway at all. The sealed Te Ara o Whareroa trail through Queen Elizabeth Park links the two communities, which opens up a cycling option covered below.

Cycle Or Walk Between Studios Through Queen Elizabeth Park

The trail organisers encourage carpooling, cycling, walking and public transport between nearby studios, and Raumati South is unusually well set up for it. Queen Elizabeth Park, a regional park of about 638 hectares managed by Greater Wellington, runs from Raumati South to Paekākāriki.

Greater Wellington describes Te Ara o Whareroa as a sealed 6km trail from Raumati South to Paekākāriki, suitable for families and all wheel types, with about two hours suggested for the walk. The northern end is reached from Matai Road, and the Raumati South entrance is at the end of The Esplanade, about 1km from State Highway 1 via Poplar Avenue.

That makes a lovely Art Trail day: start with the Raumati South studios, ride the park trail south, visit the Paekākāriki studios and have lunch in the village, then ride back with the sea on your left. All park tracks are shared with walkers, and some with horses, so ride considerately.

Foot access to the park is always open. Vehicle gates are open 6am to 9pm from 1 October to 31 March. Check the Greater Wellington Queen Elizabeth Park page for track closures before you go.

Galleries Worth Adding Further North

If you have a second or third day, head north. Paraparaumu and Paraparaumu Beach have a large group of studios and shared spaces, including Big Mac Creative Centre on Mazengarb Road, St Paul's Church Hall on Langdale Avenue and the Copperfield Collective on MacLean Street.

Toi MAHARA, the district gallery at 20 Mahara Place in Waikanae, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free entry. Its listings for this period include Land, Women and Rangatiratanga (to 1 November 2026), Louie Zalk-Neale's Ngai-kore-tua-mao, she ditches, she floods (to 29 November), and The Expatriates: Frances Hodgkins, Peter Campbell, Graham Percy (5 September 2026 to 24 January 2027). The biennial Toi MAHARA Young Artists Exhibition opens on 14 November.

The trail continues to Waikanae Beach, Peka Peka, Te Horo and Ōtaki. Ōtaki is a full day out on its own from Raumati South, so save it for a longer stay rather than squeezing it into the same day as the southern studios.

Buying Art On The Trail: Practical Tips

Most visitors come home with something, even if it is only a mug or a pair of earrings. Buying direct from the person who made it is half the appeal, and a few habits make it easier.

Ask before you assume. Many artists are happy to talk about commissions, about pieces that are still drying or in the kiln, or about work they have at home but not on display. If a piece is a little over budget, ask whether there are smaller works or seconds. Prices are set by each artist, so there is no standard trail price list.

Think about the trip home before you buy something large. Ask the artist how they wrap fragile work and whether they can courier it. Large canvases and sculpture are often easier to collect at the end of your stay, or have sent on, than to carry around for the rest of the day in a hot car.

For guests flying, also check your airline's cabin baggage rules for size and weight before buying a large ceramic or glass piece you would rather not check in.

Between The Two Weekends: Kapiti Island

The 2026 trail leaves a gap from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 October. If you stay through, the island you have been looking at from the deck is the obvious way to spend one of those days. Kapiti Island is a nature reserve managed by the Department of Conservation, and DOC describes it as a place to get up close to rare birds such as kākā, kōkako, takahē and hihi. Rats were removed in 1996, leaving it free of introduced mammals.

Access is by approved tour operator only, and private boats may not land. Kapiti Island Nature Tours runs the crossings: you check in at its office at 29 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu Beach, and the boat leaves from the Kapiti Boating Club. The operator says sailings are usually daily from October to mid-May, with departures between 8am and 11am depending on the day.

Book ahead, because trips are weather dependent and the operator recommends booking early as the season builds. If the skipper cancels for unsafe sea or weather, you can move to another date or take a full refund. Your own cancellation within 14 days only returns 75 per cent, so pick a day with a reasonable forecast and keep a second day free if you can.

Biosecurity is taken seriously. DOC says bags are inspected and unpacked before boarding, clothing and footwear must be free of seeds and plant material, and pets are not allowed. Bring your own lunch and water (DOC notes island water is untreated), sturdy shoes, warm layers and a rain jacket. There is no shop on the island. One track, the Boulder Bank Loop, is closed from October to March unless you are with a guide, because seabirds are nesting.

More Midweek Ideas: Ngā Manu And Toi MAHARA

Ngā Manu Nature Reserve at 74 Ngā Manu Reserve Road, Waikanae, is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Its aviaries hold kea, kākā, kererū and kākāriki, and the nocturnal house has kiwi and tuatara. Tuna (eel) feeding is at 2pm on weekdays, with an extra 12 noon session on weekends and holidays. Allow one and a half to two hours. Dogs are not allowed, apart from service dogs, so this is a day to leave a pet at the house. Book tickets through the reserve's website, where current prices are shown.

Toi MAHARA in Waikanae is free and open Tuesday to Sunday, which makes it a good midweek stop that ties back to the trail. Pair it with lunch in Waikanae and you have a gentle day that does not depend on the weather.

Closer to home, a weekday is also the quietest time to walk the full length of Te Ara o Whareroa through Queen Elizabeth Park, or simply to spend a slow morning on the beach below the house before the second trail weekend begins.

Art Trail Etiquette

Many studios are in artists' own homes and gardens, so the trail works on goodwill. The official guidance is simple and worth following:

If you are travelling with a dog, assume studios are not dog-friendly unless the artist says otherwise. It is usually easier to leave the dog at your accommodation for a studio session and bring it along for the beach afterwards.

Where To Eat Between Studios In Raumati South

Raumati South's two best-known cafes face each other on Poplar Avenue, and both are within an easy stroll of the beach.

For a Labour Weekend visit, The Raumati Social Club's live music nights make a natural end to a Saturday on the trail. Hours can change on public holidays, so confirm directly before you go.

In Raumati Beach village, the Waterfront Kitchen and Bar is the eatery Wellington's tourism body singles out, and fish and chips from the village make a cheap, easy dinner at Marine Gardens.

Marine Gardens And The Beach For Families

Not every child wants to spend a day in studios. Marine Gardens on Garden Road, Raumati Beach, gives families a break between visits. The council lists a playground with slides, swings, a flying fox and a tunnel slide, plus public toilets, a changing room, BBQs, picnic tables and beach access.

The Kapiti Miniature Railway runs at Marine Gardens on Sundays from 1pm to 4pm, on a track just under 1km long with two tunnels. A Sunday afternoon train ride fits neatly into either Art Trail weekend.

The Marine Gardens splash pad closes over winter. When we checked, the council's splash pad page did not yet show a reopening date for the 2026-27 season, so check the council website or call before promising it to the kids.

The beach itself is a good place to finish each day. Mid-spring water on this coast is still cool for most swimmers, so treat a paddle or a long walk as the main event and check conditions and signage before anyone swims.

Who The Art Trail Suits

Couples will find the trail an easy, unhurried weekend: a few studios in the morning, lunch, a walk and an early dinner. It is also a good way to find a genuinely local gift or a piece for the house.

Friends travelling together can split up. One person can linger at a ceramics studio while others head to the beach or a cafe, then everyone meets back at the house for a BBQ.

Families can make it work by choosing a small number of studios, ideally ones with gardens or demonstrations, and balancing them with the playground, the miniature railway and the beach. Studios listed as wheelchair and buggy accessible are easier with a pram.

Repeat visitors who have already done the main beaches will find the trail a different way into the area. You end up on streets and in gardens you would never otherwise see.

Why Seaview Paradiso Works For An Art Trail Weekend

Seaview Paradiso is a cute original seaside cottage in Raumati South, and its location suits the southern end of the trail well. The listing describes a 2-minute walk down the driveway and across the road to the beach, and a 10-minute stroll to the local cafes, including Sunday Cantina and The Raumati Social Club.

The house looks out over the sea to Kapiti Island. The open plan living, dining and kitchen area opens onto a sun-drenched front deck, and there is a bay window seat that is made for a cuppa and a flick through the Art Trail guide while you plan the day.

Three bedrooms sleep up to six guests: a queen in bedroom 1, a double in bedroom 2 and a bunk room with two beds in bedroom 3, with one family bathroom with a tub. The kitchen is well equipped for breakfasts before you head out, and the listing suggests a BBQ dinner alfresco with the Cook Strait as the backdrop.

For a longer stay, the listing offers a free $50 voucher for Sunday Cantina on bookings of five nights or more, which is a neat fit for a stay covering both trail weekends.

How A Group Would Use The House Over Labour Weekend

Labour Weekend gives you three trail days. A simple pattern is to arrive Friday after 3pm check-in, walk to the beach, and use the evening to pick studios on the trail website. The listing notes ultra-fast Wi-Fi, which helps with route planning.

Saturday can be Raumati South and Raumati Beach, with a late lunch on Poplar Avenue. Sunday can be Paekākāriki via Queen Elizabeth Park, with the miniature railway at Marine Gardens on the way home for families. Monday can be a short list of artists who open on Labour Day before the drive home. Check-out is by 10am, so on a Monday departure plan your studio stops for after you have packed the car.

Pets are welcome, but only small dogs, and they are not permitted on the furniture. The property is not fully fenced, so dogs need watching, and the owner asks you to email ahead if you are bringing one. There is a slight drop beyond the trees around part of the property, so young children need close supervision outdoors.

The driveway is steep and winding with ample parking at the top, so take it slowly, especially when you come home after dark. There is a fireplace for cooler spring evenings, but you need to bring your own firewood and use the supplied screen.

A Relaxed Three-Day Art Trail Itinerary From Raumati South

Day One: Raumati South And Raumati Beach

Start with coffee on Poplar Avenue, then visit the Rosetta Road studios and one or two others in Raumati South. After lunch, move into Raumati Beach village for the Kāpiti Arts & Crafts Society Shop, Kāpiti Gallery and the Kaka Road and Alexander Road studios. Finish with a beach walk at home.

Day Two: Paekākāriki By Bike Or Car

Ride or drive south to Paekākāriki. Visit the Ocean Road and Beach Road studios, have lunch in the village, and return through Queen Elizabeth Park. On a Sunday, families can stop at Marine Gardens for the miniature railway between 1pm and 4pm.

Day Three: Paraparaumu Or Waikanae

Choose a northern cluster, such as Paraparaumu Beach or Big Mac Creative Centre, or spend the morning at Toi MAHARA in Waikanae if your day falls between Tuesday and Sunday. Keep the afternoon free for a last walk on the beach and a quiet evening on the deck.

Staying For Both Weekends

A stay from Labour Weekend through to Sunday 1 November covers all five trail days. Use the Labour Weekend days for the southern studios, keep Tuesday to Friday for Kapiti Island, Ngā Manu, Toi MAHARA and the beach, then use the second weekend for the northern clusters around Paraparaumu, Waikanae and, if you are keen, Ōtaki. Five nights or more also brings the listing's $50 Sunday Cantina voucher into play.

Getting There And Getting Around

The listing describes Seaview Paradiso as about 35 minutes' drive from Wellington via Transmission Gully, and about 10 minutes' drive from Kāpiti Coast Airport for those flying in. Wellington's tourism body puts Raumati at around 40 minutes from the city.

Without a car, the Art Trail website points to Metlink's Kāpiti Line, which runs from Wellington Station to Waikanae every 30 minutes, and to InterCity buses that arrive at Paraparaumu train station. It also notes that Kāpiti Coast Airport has flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Nelson and Blenheim with Sounds Air and Air Chathams. Check current schedules with the operators, as holiday timetables can differ.

A car is the easiest way to reach scattered studios, but you do not need it for everything. The cafes are walkable, the park trail links to Paekākāriki, and Greater Wellington notes that bus route 250 runs from Paraparaumu station to Jeep Road in Raumati South. Check the Metlink timetable for holiday weekend services.

Labour Weekend traffic north out of Wellington can be heavy on the Friday evening and south on the Monday afternoon. Arriving earlier on Friday or leaving after your last studio on Monday helps.

What To Pack For A Spring Art Trail Weekend

Kāpiti spring weather can swing from bright sunshine to a cool, blustery afternoon in the same day. Pack layers, a windproof jacket and comfortable shoes for garden paths and studio steps.

Bring a reusable shopping bag and some bubble wrap or a towel if you think you might buy ceramics or glass. A small amount of cash is useful for smaller purchases, and a phone charger for the car keeps your route map running.

If you plan to cycle Te Ara o Whareroa, bring helmets and a lock. For the beach, sun protection still matters in spring, along with a warm layer for evening walks.

Before Leaving Home: Your Art Trail Check

Ready to plan your weekend? Check dates and live prices for Seaview Paradiso in Raumati South, browse other stays on the WTP Holiday Homes booking page, or find more local ideas in the WTP holiday home guides. If both trail weekends appeal, a longer stay at this seaside cottage lets you see far more without rushing.