Get into the culture flow, pop your trainers on and make some new arty discoveries around Taupō this summer.
It’s been called a love letter to Taupō, the 100% Love Taupō mural features a medley of Taupō icons — the lake, mountains, rivers and Huka Falls, along with beautiful native birds and blooms. Designed and painted by Taupō artist Gemma Clough (aka Gemini) the mural is based on the celebrated 100% Pure New Zealand logo. It includes a QR code for visitors to learn more about the icons featured. Find it on the side wall of Cafe Baku in the lakefront dining precinct.
More than 90 vibrant murals turn laneways and back alleys around Taupō town into a living canvas, splashed with colour by local legends and international artists. Explore the art trail year-round, or swing by over Labour Weekend for Graffiato, when fresh works spring to life before your eyes in an annual festival that paints the town red, white and every colour in the rainbow.
The looming Heartland sculpture by Brett Taylor is a robust fusion of timber, stone and bronze; its rugged materials reflect the resilience of those who first settled this volcanic landscape. Find beside the Great Lake Centre on Tongariro Street.
Gregor Kregar’s shiny stainless steel dino, Boom Boom, stands nearly 3 metres tall on a rusted ‘lava rock’ plinth—almost 10 metres in all. This extinct beast is a playful nod to Taupō's fiery past and lives in Riverside Park, off Redoubt Street. A fun photo stop for kids and big kids.
Made of steel and bold red ‘tablets’ that twist and tilt in hypnotic motion at the gentlest breeze, Phil Price’s sleek 7-metre kinetic sculpture Flip can be found near Taupō Marina on Redoubt Street.
Framed by lake and volcanic peaks, the Lake Taupō sign on the lakefront is your go-to spot for an iconic Taupō photograph. It’s one snapshot you won’t want to miss during your stay.
Get up close to Steuart Welch's contemporary landmark, Upane, on the lakefront. This rugged steel sculpture perched beside the vast expanse of New Zealand's largest lake makes it an unmissable spot for art lovers.
Accessible by boat or kayak, the vast 14-metre Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings, are carved into cliff faces emerging from the lake. Artist Matahi Brightwell, honours the ancestral navigator Ngātoroirangi and other sacred figures—an enduring connection to the whenua.
Before teeing off at the Wairakei Sanctuary and Golf Course native bird sanctuary, you can't miss the looming 9-metre carved pou whenua paying majestic homage to Tāne Mahuta, god of the forest, and the local birdlife, including the legendary giant Hokioi eagle. It’s well worth a visit even if golfing isn’t on the agenda—check out the cafe inside.
Te Ātea—a towering pou carved from a 2,000-year-old tōtara—features intricate designs celebrating nature, the cycle of life, whānau, and the connections between the world above and the world below. It stands between the township and the vast moana—kids will love the interactive water features.
Step inside Taupō Museum’s wharenui to stand face-to-face with Charles Frederick Goldie’s 1935 portrait of the Blind Woman of Taupō. This enigmatic painting, with its unnamed subject, offers a window into Māori art history.
Taupō’s gallery scene is as diverse as its landscape—ranging from contemporary works and traditional Māori art to handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, and textiles. Whether you’re after a bold statement piece or a small creative keepsake, you’ll find something special in local favourites like Market Central Taupō (Sundays) or these galleries.
At L’Arte Café & Gallery, discover a whimsical, mosaic living room, complete with sofas, fireplace and even a TV—be sure to grab a great coffee and browse the local art for sale too. Find on Mapara Road, Acacia Bay.
The Lava Glass sculpture garden has over 600 hand-blown glass creations—glowing orbs, wildflowers and towering colourful alien-like plants. Some pieces are among the biggest in the country, and when the sun’s out, it's a dazzling experience.
Check out the Taupō Sculpture Trust, an organisation dedicated to bringing more public art to the region. They’re behind many of the town’s existing sculptures and are working to add new pieces to Taupō’s creative landscape.
Explore more at tauposculpturetrust.co.nz
