Whakamanu Exchange Residency 2026

Whakamanu Exchange Residency is a new programme that aims to strengthen artistic and relational exchange across Aotearoa artistic communities, particularly between Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu.  This programme considers what pre-existing connections might already occur between our islands. The ngutu parore and the tōrea emerged with their compulsions and capacities of migration. These birds move seasonally between habitats of Te Waipounamu and Te Ika-a-Māui. With them as tohu, the name Whakamanu surfaced, referring to ‘becoming a bird’.

In 2026, Whakamanu Exchange Residency will support two early-career visual artists or curators with collaborative practices. One person based in Tāmaki Makaurau will travel to and be hosted in Ōtautahi, and another person based in Ōtautahi will travel to and be hosted in Tāmaki Makaurau.  

Tāmaki Makaurau Residency Info:
A practitioner based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, will visit Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from 1-6 August with a focus on research and connecting to new places, people, artworks etc. In October, after their initial visit, they will be invited back for a few days of reconnection. They’ll be expected to offer one public event with a partner organisation (either Puku or Samoa House Library), which could be a talk, workshop, etc. during this return visit. They will be encouraged to identify a specific opportunity or event to determine the time which they will return.
They will receive:
Central Auckland accommodation (with Felixe Laing) Flights from Christchurch to Auckland $1500 stipend Research support and space at Samoa House Library Project space at Puku Hosting and support from residency facilitators Edith Amituanai, Felixe Laing and Liam Jacobson.  

Who should apply: Early career artists or curators who have begun their visual arts practice publicly and are working toward establishing it into new directions Based primarily in Ōtautahi Christchurch Someone who will benefit from expanding their inter-island relationshipsSomeone who works collaboratively and facilitates connections within artistic communities in their practice Someone who can independently develop a residency schedule and manage their time with the support of the facilitators Someone available to participate in the specified dates (some flexibility)

How to apply: A bio or introduction (max 200 words): who are you and what are your current artistic interests? A statement of intent (max 200 words), including specific reasons to visit Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland: how would your research be expanded into this new place? Are there any specific people, organisations, places or artworks you’d like to connect with? The reference details of someone you’ve worked collaboratively with We accept applications as one page pdf, or under 3 minute video or audio format.
Label your email as: Tāmaki Whakamanu Exchange Residency Application and send your response: whakamanuresidency@gmail.com.
Applications are due by the end of Sunday 17 May.  

Ōtautahi Residency Info: A practitioner based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, will visit Ōtautahi Christchurch from 18-23 July. They will be invited back down from 29 October-1 November, to participate in a Māori Camera Club wānanga organised by The Physics Room, and deliver an event which could be a talk, workshop, etc. during this return visit.
They will receive:
Central Christchurch accommodation (with The Art Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora) Flights from Auckland to Christchurch $1500 stipend Research support and space at The Physics Room Hosting and support from residency facilitators James Tapsell-Kururangi, Jane Wallace and Geo Thompson-Skipworth.  

Who should apply: Early career artists or curators, who have begun their visual arts practice publicly and are working toward establishing it into new directions Based primarily in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Somebody who will benefit from expanding their inter-island relationshipsSomeone who works collaboratively and facilitates connections within artistic communities in their practice Someone who can independently develop a residency schedule and manage their time with the support of the facilitators
Someone available to participate in the specified dates Someone interested in contributing to a three-day collaborative photography wānanga grounded in the kaupapa of the Māori Camera Club, led by artists Conor Clarke and Bridget Reweti and held at Te Whatu Manawa Māoritanga o Rehua Marae.
Applicants from all cultural backgrounds are welcome.  
How to apply: A bio or introduction (max 200 words): who are you and what are your current artistic interests? A statement of intent (max 200 words) including specific reasons to visit the place of exchange. How would your research be expanded into this new place? Are there any specific people, organisations, places or artworks you’d like to connect with? The reference details of someone you’ve worked collaboratively with  
We accept applications as one page pdf, or under 3 minute video or audio format.
Label your email as: Ōtautahi Whakamanu Exchange Residency Application and send your response: whakamanuresidency@gmail.com.
Applications are due by the end of Sunday 17 May.

Partners: The Physics Room is a contemporary art space dedicated to developing and promoting contemporary art and critical discourse in Aotearoa, based in central Ōtautahi Christchurch.

The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora is run by an independent charitable trust and comprises the largest collection of heritage buildings in the country. Located in Ōtautahi Christchurch, it is home to over 70 entities including galleries, museums, cinemas, boutique retailers, artisan eateries and bars, accommodation, engaging events, stunning venues and much more.  

Puku is a gallery and project space at the Parnell Train Station in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, curated by Liam Jacobson for the Te Tuhi Curatorial Internship.  Samoa House Library is an independent art library and alternative education platform, located in the

Samoa House building at 283 Karangahape Road, Tāmaki Makarau Auckland. It is an artist-run and community-grown space that first emerged in response to the closures of specialist art libraries at The University of Auckland.  

Felixe Laing is a curator and arts worker who is interested in the role of hosting within the arts and expanding the format of art residencies. She is based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.