Creativity on the Kāpiti Coast: meet the makers of WOW and explore the Art Trail
From award-winning wearable art to open artist studios, Kāpiti’s creative sector is putting the district on the map and creating new opportunities to connect, collaborate and grow.
Creativity is one of Kāpiti’s strengths, and this October, there’s an opportunity to see it in action.
With two award-winning local designers sharing their experience at a special World of WearableArt® (WOW) event, alongside the return of the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail, the district’s creative talent is taking centre stage.
But beyond the exhibitions and events, these opportunities highlight the potential of Kāpiti’s creative industries to build capability, attract visitors and strengthen connections across the local economy.
Learning from the makers behind WOW
On Friday 30 October, WOW: Meet the Makers will bring the creative process behind wearable art to Te Raukura ki Kāpiti’s Coastlands Theatre in Paraparaumu.
Hosted by WOW’s Sarah Nathan, the panel features Kāpiti Coast designers Kayla Christensen, winner of the 2026 WOW Supreme Award, and Rebecca Bond, winner of the 2024 WOW Transformation Innovation Award, alongside Wellington designer Fifi Coulston.
The evening will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration, technical challenges and creative thinking involved in bringing award-winning garments to life.
For local designers, artists, sculptors, students and creative professionals, it’s also an opportunity to learn from established practitioners, connect with others in the sector and explore potential pathways into WOW.
A creative sector with room to grow
Kāpiti’s creative strengths extend well beyond the WOW stage. The district is recognised in the top five nationally on the Infometrics Creativity Index, reflecting a diverse creative community spanning visual arts, performance, music, writing, Ngā Toi Māori, filmmaking and more.
This breadth creates opportunities to build stronger connections between creative practitioners, businesses and organisations — helping local talent access new networks, develop their capabilities and reach wider audiences.
Kāpiti Coast District Council is working with the local sector to develop a Creative Industries Cluster, with a focus on building capability and attracting further opportunities to the district.
Collaborations with nationally recognised organisations such as WOW can help raise Kāpiti’s profile while creating experiences that give visitors another reason to explore the coast.
Five days to explore the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail
Running across Labour Weekend and the following weekend, the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail offers another way to experience the district’s creative community.
Across 24–26 October and 31 October–1 November, visitors can explore artist studios and galleries, meet makers and discover the range of work being produced across the coast.
For local businesses, events like the Art Trail also create opportunities to connect with visitors exploring different parts of the district, from galleries and studios to cafés, shops and places to stay.
Come for the creativity, stay for the weekend
With WOW: Meet the Makers taking place midway through the Art Trail, late October offers a chance to experience more of what makes Kāpiti distinctive.
For the creative sector, these events help showcase local talent and build connections that can support future growth. For visitors, they offer a reason to slow down, explore and discover the people and places behind Kāpiti’s creative identity.
And for the wider business community, they demonstrate how collaboration, local capability and distinctive experiences can work together to create opportunities for the district.
