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When & Where
When & Where
Driftwood & Sand 2027 Competition will take place 20 - 24 January 2026 at the south end of Hokitika Beach. The wild coastline provides the perfect canvas — with endless sand and driftwood ready to be transformed.
Registration is at Sunset Point, Gibson Quay, 10am - 6pm each day. Registration closes at 11am 24 January. You do not need to preregister for the event, but you can start building your sculpture earlier in the week (pick up a work in progress sign from near the Tambo).
Driftwood & Sand 2027 Competition will take place 20 - 24 January 2026 at the south end of Hokitika Beach. The wild coastline provides the perfect canvas — with endless sand and driftwood ready to be transformed.
Registration is at Sunset Point, Gibson Quay, 10am - 6pm each day. Registration closes at 11am 24 January. You do not need to preregister for the event, but you can start building your sculpture earlier in the week (pick up a work in progress sign from near the Tambo).
Prizegiving is at 2pm 24 January.
How to Take Part
How to Take Part
Everyone is welcome to join in! You don’t need to be an artist — just bring your imagination. Register any day throughout the festival (20 - 24 January) at the Festival HQ, Sunset Point. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for junior entries. Donations to support this volunteer-run event are always appreciated.
Everyone is welcome to join in! You don’t need to be an artist — just bring your imagination. Register any day throughout the festival (20 - 24 January) at the Festival HQ, Sunset Point. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for junior entries. Donations to support this volunteer-run event are always appreciated.
You can register as an individual, group, family or junior (school age).
JUDGING
JUDGING
Each year, we have a Guest Artist attend the festival to judge the competition. Judges travel from far and wide to be at the event, and we are lucky to have had accomplished artists. Funding from Creative Communities helps with costs associated with bringing these artists to Hokitika.
We welcome Rotorua Sculptor Jamie Pickernell as our Guest Artist for 2026. Jamie will be giving an artist talk followed by a Q&A session at the Old Lodge (11 Revell St) at 7pm on Thurs 22 Jan.
People's Choice
The public can vote for their FAVOURITE artwork and the one they find MOST HUMOROUS from Friday 23 January until 1pm on Sunday 25 January.
Categories & Prizes
Categories & Prizes
Prizes for the competition are generously donated by local businesses and tourism operators. Sponsors for 2026 event will be announced soon.
Prizes for the competition are generously donated by local businesses and tourism operators. Sponsors for 2026 event will be announced soon.
Categories include:
Categories include:
People's Choice
Most Avant-Garde
Most Humorous
Most Natural
One Ocean Prize
Best Student Entry
Most Ambitious
Judges Special Award
Lucky Voter winners
Plus special awards which vary year to year
People's Choice
Most Avant-Garde
Most Humorous
Most Natural
One Ocean Prize
Best Student Entry
Most Ambitious
Judges Special Award
Lucky Voter winners
Plus special awards which vary year to year
Prizes are awarded across categories for creativity, originality, and best use of natural materials. People’s choice awards add an extra element of fun.
Prizes are awarded across categories for creativity, originality, and best use of natural materials. People’s choice awards add an extra element of fun.
Final judging is determined on the final day of the festival each year, followed by a prizegiving at Sunset Point, Festival HQ. Visitors are encouraged to stroll among the sculptures, vote for their favourites, and take plenty of photos before the tide reclaims the creations.
Final judging is determined on the final day of the festival each year, followed by a prizegiving at Sunset Point, Festival HQ. Visitors are encouraged to stroll among the sculptures, vote for their favourites, and take plenty of photos before the tide reclaims the creations.
Rules & Criteria
Rules & Criteria
To be eligible for prizes, you must:
To be eligible for prizes, you must:
1. Register your sculpture.
1. Register your sculpture.
2. Make your sculpture mainly from beach materials.
2. Make your sculpture mainly from beach materials.
- Imported materials and fasteners are allowed but should be kept to a minimum and should be removed after the event.
- No dangerous materials or poisonous substances allowed.
3. Check with an event coordinator if using power tools and chainsaws, and erect safety barricades where appropriate.
3. Check with an event coordinator if using power tools and chainsaws, and erect safety barricades where appropriate.
4. Respect all other participants and beach users; do not use materials that are marked as ‘work in progress’.
4. Respect all other participants and beach users; do not use materials that are marked as ‘work in progress’.
Please Note:
Please Note:
- Organisers may reject company logos, advertising, political protests or any other controversial works as entries.
- The Judge’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
- Driftwood & Sand reserve the right to photograph registered work and use any images as we see fit.
- Access the sea wall at your own risk; Driftwood & Sand take no responsibility for any injuries or mishaps that may occur.
Guidelines: Building on the beach
Guidelines: Building on the beach
- All vertical standing works must be secure and well anchored.
- Any works below the high tide line may be damaged by waves.
- Warratahs (metal stakes) are available to support sculptures.
Guidelines: Building on the rock wall
Guidelines: Building on the rock wall
- PLEASE take special care walking on the rocks.
- Stabilise artworks. Firmly secure by wedging the base into rock crevices using driftwood or small rocks.
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