We want to link you with your deeper and profoundly moving source of inspiration and expression so that it shows up in every corner of your life. We want you to be able to infuse this into the spaces you live and work in. We want this to become an integral part of your unique cultural identity, believing that we rise to the extraordinary when we experience who we are, where we are. Tap in, be proud.
The art of living in Aotearoa New Zealand is seeing ourselves with our own eyes.
The world looks with envy at the Pacific and its richness. We can and should take pride in who we are. We are the Ocean that surrounds us. We can and should frame our lives through our own eyes, eyes that never tire of this deep connection to our ‘Oceanity’. Our home is an amazing land - swimming with legends, tattooed with spirits and monsters, a place of fire and ice, steam, snow, desert and fiord. If you don’t feel that now, if you don’t wake up every morning with a bloodjoy sense of tūrangawaewae, then brother, sister - you have forgotten yourself when it comes to know what it means to be anchored in a beautiful craft in this vast ocean place. SPACE.
The Uniqueness of this beautiful place/ space and experience
Wairahi, the traditional name of the cove where the land meets the ocean below us translates in a way that suggests plenty and abundance. It’s palpable. Did we choose it or did it choose us? When feet first touched the ground and took in the surroundings we recognised that it is quintessentially Aotearoa, triggering a spontaneous sense that a long search was over.
Your Stay
Because we’re a bit off the beaten track and its a short journey to get here, Our Art & Eco Sanctuary has been deliberately colonised by small, intimate places for our guests to retreat to and sleep. Our rationale is that assimilating new skills and information needs the right context and works best when there is continuity in the experience. To provide this uninterrupted immersion, we favour overnight or weekend sessions and our cabins and safari tents are your haven.
The accommodation is included in your course fees, but if you want to bring someone along with you just to enjoy the beach and bush tracks or explore the area around us, there will be a charge for that extra person or small family. The maximum number we can accomodate in our safari tent (Kererū) is 4, but you can ask to reserve more than one of the units. We will allocate you to your place in one of the units when we receive your course fee.
If you are coming for our summer school you might want to find a place to build your own shelter or pitch your own tent.
Local Attractions
7 Islands is situated on the Northland coast of the Pacific Ocean a short 1.5hrs by road from Auckland City. Our studio complex is surrounded by typical Northland rural countryside and abounds in natural environmental features including dense bush, streams, coastal and bush walks, all gathered around one of Northlands pristine Pacific beaches.
You’ll love the visitor landscape around us
The Mangawhai Cliff Walk has been described as one of the best coastal walks in Aotearoa. For the adventurous several other celebrated walks are nearby.
The small towns of Waipu and Mangwhai are ten minutes away by car. Both have a wide choice of good cafes and eateries and the Bennetts chocolate factory and cafe is a clear favourite with families.
At nearby Kings Road are several wineries and olive groves with free tastings and good food.
The Waipu glow-worm caves and woodland a short distance away are an adventurous underground challenge.
Whangarei city with its Hihiaua Art Precinct and Hundertwasser Gallery currently under construction is a 40 minute drive. The Hihiaua Cultural Centre recently received 2020’s top architectural award.
The magnificent Treaty grounds at Waitangi, where Māori and the colonial administrators agreed the terms of their relationship, are a highly recommended 2 hours away through picturesque scenery.
“The close relationship between using and
making, being and becoming, needs to be
strengthened again. People should be empowered to design their own solutions to their own specific
requirements.”
Our Workshops
Featured
Mark making has been the primary form of expression in human culture since we began to understand the use of tools.