Driftwood & Sand - Beach Art Festival, Hokitika

28/01/2026

Here's the Prize winners and Sponsors for the 2026 Driftwood & Sand Festival.
Thanks to all our supporters, voters, organisers and volunteers, and CONGRATULATIONS to all of our beach artists and winners.

24/01/2026

TREASURE & PRIZES!! 1pm Pirate Treasure Hunt, 2pm Prizegiving...
Hokitika's Driftwood & Sand 2026 ends today with bang! Come to the HQ tent at Sunset Point this afternoon and join in the fun!
Don't forget your footwear for the hot midday sand, and sunhat for the big yellow ball in the sky! 👣🏖️😎

24/01/2026

THE POWER OF THE OCEAN! Driftwood And Sand's signature sculpture has succumbed to the waves!
"Putting the wind in your sail" created by Cliff Goodwin has been toppled in the high tide and 4m waves that we've been watching on the forecast for the past few days.
Rather than weep at the loss, we'll just take this as another surprise in the festival's story. The temporary and dynamic nature of the Hokitika Beach is just what we love about this place.
There's still plenty of sculptures to view, and time to build your own.
See you at the prizegiving tomorrow (Sunday) at 2pm!

23/01/2026

GET CREATING! This weekend is the time to get out to Hokitika's Sunset Point to let your creative spirit fly! You don't need to be an artist to take part, it's fun for everyone!
The sea is forecast to get bigger through the day, so build your sculpture well back from the waves. And please keep an eye on the sea (and the kids)!😍

23/01/2026

PRIZES & SPONSORS! We have some wonderful prizes up for grabs this weekend!
Huge thanks to all of our sponsors, the event couldn't happen without them, so please support them.😀

21/01/2026

ILLUSTRATED ARTIST TALK TONIGHT! Our Guest Judge, Jamie Pickernell tells us about his art career at 7.00pm tonight (Thursday 22nd) in Hokitika's Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell St.

Other events today (Thurs) include:
1-3pm DRIFTWOOD CRAFTS with Sue Asplin and Jess McCobb.
4-5.30pm PUTIPUTI (FLAX FLOWERS) with local artist Kerry Weston.
www.DriftwoodAndSand.co.nz

21/01/2026

ART WORKSHOPS TODAY! FLAX WEAVING... Local artist Kerry Weston will be teaching us how to make putiputi (flowers) from harakeke (NZ flax), 4-5.30pm today (Thursday 22nd). Register now to secure your place, by email to [email protected] or text 0211886564, or come and see us at our Hokitika Sunset Pt HQ. PS. We have an indoor wet weather venue option!

Other events today (Thurs) include:
1-3pm DRIFTWOOD CRAFTS with Sue Asplin and Jess McCobb,
7-8pm ILLUSTRATED TALK from our Guest artist Jamie Pickernell
www.DriftwoodAndSand.co.nz

20/01/2026

ART WORKSHOPS! Our first workshop is only a day away, Thursday 22nd, creating driftwood decor with our Festival organiser Sue Asplin with Jess McCobb. Register now to secure your place, at [email protected]
www.DriftwoodAndSand.co.nz

18/01/2026

We're ready to kick off the 2026 Driftwood And Sand event. Our Signature Sculpture - 'Putting The Wind In Your Sail' - has been created by Okarito sculptor Cliff Goodwin. Get down to the beach and check it out...and while you're there, start building your own creation!
www.DriftwoodAndSand.co.nz
[photo credit: M Rooke]

15/01/2026

And here's the flags going up at Sunset Point, getting ready for our Festival that starts this Wednesday 21 Jan!
Thanks to the Hokitika Community Trust and others for your help!
www.DriftwoodAndSand.co.nz

15/01/2026

Big thanks to the Hokitika Community Trust for their dedicated sewing bee! Sunset Point is starting to look colourful, and getting reading for our exciting event starting this Wednesday 21st!

sewing flags for driftwood and sand

13/01/2026

Less than one week to Driftwood & Sand 2026! We've got some great Art Workshops for you to join. Limited spaces, so BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment!