![Askew at Hit The Bricks in Newcastle, Australia. Photo courtesy of Askew.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1-Askew-Aus-Newcastle.jpg)
A note from the editor: Last month, Si Omer emailed me and very politely noted how we don’t cover a lot of art in New Zealand or by New Zealanders on Vandalog. As part of an effort to correct that, I asked Si Omer to put together a post introducing me and the rest of the Vandalog community to what’s going on with New Zealand these days. Here is that post. Also, for more New Zealand street art and graffiti, Si Omer recommends checking out the Street Arse blog. – RJ Rushmore
New Zealand (NZ) situated in the South Pacific Ocean, next door to Australia and fitting into the US 36 times, New Zealand is definitely a small place but houses and is home to some seriously big talent.
New Zealand has turned out some amazing and dedicated innovators to the international graffiti and street art scene in the past 15 years. Being involved in the international community has provided a platform and vital inspiration for many artists who may at times feel isolated because of the country’s geography. It has also provided inspiration for the tight scene here in NZ and enabled many to be a part of one of this profound movement.
![Owen Dippie in Tauranga, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Owen Dippie.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2-owen-dippie-Tauranga.jpg)
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of many artists (such as Askew and others of the TMD, The Most Dedicated) locally and internationally the general public’s perspective on graffiti and street art is changing, it is beginning to be accepted as relevant and significant art form. This fresh understanding of the importance of art on the street is being celebrated by the start-up of annual events and festivals all around the country, allowing established and emerging artists to showcase their work on a scale this country has never seen before.
!["Blue Prints" by BMD in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of BMD.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/3-BMD-Blue-Prints-Christchurch-copy.jpg)
Some of the most prominent events include ‘Rise Festival’(Christchurch),’Get up’ festival (New Plymouth), ‘Graffiato’ (Taupo) and ‘From the Ground Up’(Christchurch) many of which have started in the past 12 months.
In addition to showcasing national artists these events have also bought in a flood of outstanding renowned artists and interest from around the world, creating a positive influx of interest locally, opening the eyes of the public and business owners alike to the goodness street art can offer – which is great for the artists and the people who get to enjoy their pieces. Of course there are still some sceptics who prefer the underwhelming look of a grey wall but we can only hope they come to their senses with ongoing exposure!
![Elliot Francis Stewart in Auckland City, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Elliot Francis Stewart.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/4-Elliot-Francis-Stewart-Auckland-City.jpg)
Do not be fooled by the size of this scene, it really does have some heavy hitters, world renowned and up and coming when it comes to painting in the streets. The proof is definitely in the pudding, so here’s a selection of stuff that kiwis and adopted kiwis have been up to over the last six months or so.
![Cracked Ink in Sohole, Auckland City, New Zealand. Photo by Magda Coccinella.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/5-Cracked-Ink-–-Sohole-Auckland-City-Photo-by-Magda-Coccinella.jpg)
![Jacob Yikes in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Jacob Yikes.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/5-Jacob-Yikes-Christchurch.jpg)
![Trustme and Gasp in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Trustme and Gasp.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/6-trustme-Gasp-New-Plymouth.jpg)
![Sean Duffel in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Duffel Sean.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/7-Sean-Duffel-WellingtonElectricity.jpg)
![Charles Williams aka PHAT1 Tmd and Janine Williams aka LADY DIVA Tmd at Get Up Festival in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Charles Williams and Janine Williams.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/9-Charles-Williams-aka-PHAT1-Tmd-And-Janine-Williams-aka-LADY-DIVA-Tmd–-Get-Up-Festival-New-Plymouth.jpg)
![Berst. Photo courtesy of Berst.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/10-Berst.jpg)
![Editor in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Editor.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/11-Editor-Wellington.jpg)
![“Liva and the Lionfish" by Aaron Glasson & Celeste Byers in Tulum, Mexico. Photo courtesy of Aaron Glasson & Celeste Byers.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/12-Aaron-Glasson-Celeste-Byers-“-Liva-and-the-Lionfish-in-Tulum-Mexico.jpg)
![Mica Still in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Mica Still.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/13-mica-Still-christchurch.jpg)
![Erin Forsyth in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Erin Forsyth.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/14-Erin-Forsyth-New-Plymouth.jpg)
![Gasp in Sohole, Auckland City, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Gasp.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/15-Gasp-Sohole-Auckland-city.jpg)
![Wert 159 in Aucklnad City, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Wert 159.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/16-Wert-159-Aucklnad-City.jpg)
![Component in Grey Lynn, Auckland City. Photo courtesy of Component.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/17-Component-–-Grey-Lynn-Auckland-City.jpg)
![Seek in Sohole, Auckland City, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Seek.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/18-Seek-sohole-Auckland-City.jpeg)
![Drypnz in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Drypnz.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/19-Drypnz-peersupport-Christchurch.jpg)
![Flox. Photo courtesy of Flox.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/20-Flox.jpg)
![Oheni in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Oheni.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/21-Oheni-New-Plymouth.jpg)
![Yelz in Japan. Photo courtesy of Yelz.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/22-yelz-Japan.jpg)
![Kasic and Shaun Duffell in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Kasic and Shaun Duffell.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/23-Kasic-Shaun-Duffell-Wellington.jpg)
!["Save Earth" by Milarky in Taranaki, New Zealand. Photo by Ben D'ath.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/24-Milarky-SavEarth-Taranaki-copy.jpg)
![Siren in Taupo, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Siren.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/25-Siren.jpg)
!["The Proof Init" by Dager in Taupo, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Dager.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/26-Dager-the-proof-init.jpg)
![Paul Walsh and Pest5 in Sohole, Auckland City, New Zealand. Click to view large. Photo courtesy of Paul Walsh and Pest5.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/27-Paul-Walsh-Pest5-sohole-cube-Auckland-City-copy.jpg)
![Benjamin Work. Photo by Askew.](https://blog.vandalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/benjamin-work-askew.jpg)
Artists included: Askew, Owen Dippie, BMD, Elliot Francis Stewart, Cracked Ink, Jacob Yikes, Trustme, Gasp, Sean Duffell, Charles Williams, Janine Williams, Berst, Editor, Aaron Glasson, Celeste Byers, Mica Still, Erin Forsyth, Wert 159, Component, Seek, Drypnz, Flox, Oheni, Yelz, Kasic, Milarky, Dager, Paul Walsh, Pest5 and Benjamin Work.
Photos by Luke Shirlaw, Magda Coccinella, Ben D’ath, Askew and courtesy of Askew, Owen Dippie, Elliot Francis Stewart, Cracked Ink, Jacob Yikes, Trustme, Gasp, Sean Duffell, Charles Williams, Janine Williams, Berst, Editor, Aaron Glasson, Celeste Byers, Mica Still, Erin Forsyth, Wert 159, Component, Seek, Drypnz, Flox, Oheni, Yelz, Kasic, Dager, Paul Walsh and Pest5.