Central North Island Nov/Dec update

Ngā Kaihanga Uku & Friends at Driving Creek, November 2 – 9

Driving Creek is thrilled to welcome Ngā Kaihanga Uku (the Māori Clay Artists Collective) and friends for a week of workshops, talks, and an exhibition opening from 2 – 9 November.

Visiting artists include Baye and Gemeaux Riddell, Wi Taepa, Carla Ruka, Dorothy Waetford, Rhonda Halliday, Todd and Karuna Douglas, Amelia Blundell, Fleur Palmer, Kaeleb Ngatai, Chantel Matthews and special guests James Webster and Mike O’Donnell.

Public events kick off with the Ngā Kaihanga Uku Presentation and Q&A on Sunday 2 November, 5 – 7pm at the Coromandel Citizens’ Hall ($10 on the door), followed by Artist Talks from 4 – 6 November, entry by koha. Workshops with visiting artists run daily from 2 – 7 November – bookings essential at drivingcreek.nz/workshops.

The week culminates in the opening of the Ahi Kaa exhibition on Saturday 8 November, 6pm at the Driving Creek Gallery (free entry, with kai and drinks provided). Curated by Chantel Matthews, Ahi Kaa brings together work by Ngā Kaihanga Uku and invited friends. The exhibition honours the enduring bonds between artists and whenua and the shared commitment to keeping the creative fires burning. A Curator & Artist Talk follows on Sunday 9 November, 11am. The exhibition will run through to the end February 2026, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of contemporary Māori clay art.

Full programme details: drivingcreek.nz/ngakaihangauku.

Recent Residents

Our July – September residents included Phil Root (UK), Courtney Rodgers (Kāpiti), Jordie MacDonald (Ōtautahi), Hannah Paradis (Canada), Hayley Arjona & Lincoln Frok (Victoria), Elise Gellweiler (Sydney), Jasmine Clarke (Arrowtown), Sarah Bookman (Tāmaki Makaurau), Nika Gorosghko (US), Marta Barbaglia (Italy), Theo Leach (Matakana), Jenny Lange (Tāmaki Makaurau), Rosie Parsonson & Richard Darbyshire (Whangārei), Madison Cowper (Tāmaki Makaurau), Eve Breckenridge (US) and Chloe Mason (Te Whanganui-a-Tara). You can read more about our residents and their work on our online journal: drivingcreek.nz/journal.

We’re currently accepting residency applications for July-September 2026. Applications close 31 December. For more information and to apply, head to: drivingcreek.nz/artists-in-residence.

Resident Profile: Jordie MacDonald

Jordie MacDonald says of Driving Creek, “There’s no other place that fosters such experimentation, freedom and connection to place.” This is the third time the Ōtautahi-based potter has visited the pottery: first as a workshop participant, then as a summer tutor, and now as an artist in residence.

Jordie grew up in Blenheim and was introduced to the potter’s wheel at fifteen through the Marlborough Community Potters. Instantly hooked, she spent all her free time after school at the clubrooms. She later studied and worked in conservation and construction, but her connection to clay remained strong. Her background in ecology and building have filtered through to her clay practice, where she sources local materials to make pots that reflect their environment.

In 2015, Jordie moved to Whangārei and found community and mentorship at the Quarry Arts Centre, especially under master potter and woodfirer Julie Cromwell. Determined to deepen her practice, she convinced both Julie and the Quarry to host the Otago Polytechnic Diploma in Ceramic Arts. She became their first student in 2022, and since then, around fifteen others have enrolled.

During her four-week residency in July, Jordie created a body of work made entirely from Coromandel materials. Access to local clay and Barry’s material processing equipment made this way of working possible. She also sees access to community as a vital part of the Driving Creek experience, sharing work, meals and ideas with other residents and staff.

Jordie’s residency culminated in a wood firing in the Phoenix Kiln. She hopes to exhibit some of this work in Ōtautahi. Having experienced the residency programme both as a staff member and now as a participant, she sees it as “a landmark moment in the personal and creative lives of so many.”

Photo: Driving Creek potter in residence Jordie MacDonald with one of her pots made from Coromandel Clay. Photo by Courtney Rodgers.

Upcoming Pottery Workshops at Driving Creek

Sunday 2 – Friday 7 November | Ngā Kaihanga Uku & Friends Workshops with Dorothy Waetford, Kaeleb Ngatai, Amelia Blundell, Karuna Douglas, Fleur Palmer, Todd Douglas and Rhonda Halliday

Starting Wednesday 3 December | 5 Day Kuriniku Course with Elena Renker

Starting Monday 16 February | 5 Day Production Throwing Course

Starting Saturday 21 March | 2 Day Jug Making Course with Callum Trudgeon

Starting Friday 27 March | 3 Day Hand Building Course with Iona Matheson

Starting Monday 6 April | 5 Day Fundamentals of Practical Glaze Chemistry with Ronald Boersen

Starting Monday 13 April | 5 Day Throwing Course

Ngā mihi nui, The Driving Creek Pottery Team

Waiclay National Ceramic Award 2025

The exhibition will be held at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery 12 December – 22 March 2026, opening and awards 11 December.

Full info and conditions of entry are on https://waiclay.co.nz/

We are proud to present our 2025 Selector/judge is Andile Dyalvane who is renowned for his spiritually infused, large-scale works honouring Xhosa traditions. Dyalvane brings profound cultural insight and international acclaim to this year’s exhibition. We’re thrilled to announce that he will lead an exclusive 2 day handbuilding Vessel Making Workshop in conjunction with Waiclay 2025. Head over to our Andile Workshop page for more information and make a reservation.

Inquiries to Janet Smith oakford1951@icloud.com