2026 Programme

Driftwood & Sand Programme 2026

MIHI WHAKATAU  Wed 10.30am - Karakia blessing to open the event. All welcome.

REGISTRATIONS To enter the competition register your sculpture at the caravan at Sunset Point.

• Registrations OPEN Wed 21 Jan 10am. 'Work in Progress' signs are available by the Tambo from Sunday 18th if you want to start early. 

• Registrations CLOSE Sun 25 Jan 11am.

• ENTRY FEES Adults, Groups and Families $10. Kids $5

CARAVAN HOURS 10am - 6pm daily. Closes 3pm Sunday.

PUBLIC VOTING OPENS Fri 23 Jan 10am. Vote for your favourite artwork, Gold coin to vote, one vote per person. Voting closes 1pm Sun 25 Jan. Lucky voter prizes.

PRIZEGIVING Sun 25 Jan 2pm at Sunset Point.

Activities

HOKI ZOO  All week from Wed - Find a piece of driftwood that looks like an animal, give it eyes and a name and add it to the zoo. FREE.

PENGUINVILLE  All week from Wed - Buy a section and build a house for a Little Blue Penguin. Open to all ages, build on your own or in a group. Prizes to be won. $2 per section.

KITE FLYING  4 - 5pm daily - BYO kite. Add colour to the festivities with a flock of flying kites. 

ARTIST TALK Thurs 22 Jan 7pm - Meet our guest artist, Jamie Pickernell from Rotorua. Hear his story, followed by a Q&A session. At The Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell St. All welcome, koha appreciated.

KIDS' TREASURE HUNT Sun 25 Jan 1pm to 2pm - with the Red Moki from Hoki, Local Pirate. Meet at the caravan. FREE!

PRIZEGIVING Sun 25 Jan 2pm - at Sunset Point (or at the Old Lodge Theatre if raining!)

Art Workshops
Register your interest by emailing driftwoodandsand@gmail.com
OR phone Sue 0211886564

DRIFTWOOD CRAFT Thurs 22 Jan 1pm to 3pm - Use wave-worn sticks to create a rustic piece of art, with Sue Asplin. Age 12 to adult. Cost $15. Limited places.

HARAKEKE FLOWERS Thurs 22 Jan 4pm to 5.30pm. Learn to weave elegant flax flowers, putiputi, with Kerry Weston. Age 8 to adult. Under 8 need a caregiver to assist. Cost $10.

PARAERE TI KOUKA Fri 23 Jan 10am to 1pm -  Learn to weave customary Māori sandals (pāraerae) from Tī kōuka fibre (cabbage tree) with Otaki artist Louie Zalk-Neale. Louie grew up in Hokitika and is a descendent of Ngāi Te Rangi. Cost $25 or koha. Limited places. Age 14+

FEATHER PRINTS Fri 23 Jan 4pm to 5.30pm. Use real feathers to learn the technique of gelli plate printing, with Kerry Weston. Age 8 to adults. Under 8 need a caregiver to assist. Cost $10.

BEACH CREATURES Sat 24 Jan 10am to 4pm  - Create your own driftwood animal or beach fairy at a drop-in workshop with Jason Thompson. No set fee but koha appreciated.