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Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust
Location: Dunedin Railway Station Platform
About the Artist: Growing up in Flag Swamp just north of Dunedin, Nic Dempster has returned home, literally! His Flag Swamp Road gallery is open to the public on Thursday, Friday and Saturday's from 10am to 2.30pm or by appointment. His work is known for its bold colourful energy, with a focus on cubist geometric shapes and patterns, emphasising the the beautifully fun simplicity of houses. His work often invites curiosity, humour, and a closer look. Nic is excited to be joining Hīkoi o te Taoka, bringing his distinctive artistic style to this Art in Action campaign and helping to raise awareness of the plight of the hoiho and the importance of conserving Aotearoa's precious species.
Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): Whitaker Architects
About the Artist: Allia King is a multidisciplinary artist based in Dunedin, New Zealand. She graduated with First-Class Honours in Fashion Design from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2015. Her work has been shown in group exhibitions at Melbourne’s First Site Gallery, Melbourne, including Matter at Hand (2014), Peripheral Visions (2015), and Movements (2016).
In 2015, she was invited as a guest artist for the National Gallery of Victoria’s Drop by Drawing program, held during the Jean Paul Gaultier retrospective. Working across painting, textiles, clay, and illustration, Allia’s practice explores inner experiences, often reflecting on the tension between the self, societal constructs, and the natural environment.
Website: www.alliaking.com
Artist: Allia King
Location: Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown
Based in Dunedin, Whitaker Architects is a studio dedicated to delivering thoughtful, highly resolved, and beautifully crafted architecture.
Artist: Claire Rye
Location: Tūhura Otago Museum Reserve
Wild Dunedin, New Zealand’s Festival of Nature, in the stunning wildlife capital of Aotearoa, is a celebration of our unique wildlife, wild places, and the inspiring people who protect them. Each year, the team works with local community groups, businesses, conservationists and nature lovers to share the magnificent wildlife and wild places of the beautiful and unique city of Ōtepoti, Dunedin, showcasing the work of those who are planting native species, eradicating introduced mammalian predators, and helping populations of native animals of all kinds to flourish. So, when the opportunity arose to support the Hīkoi o te Taoka, the team jumped at the chance. The hoiho, yellow-eyed penguin is one of the most iconic penguins in the world and it can be seen right here on the beaches of Otago. Helping those who are helping these rare and special birds is a privilege and a must as the hoiho are running out of time and Wild Dunedin wouldn't be quite the same without the quirky penguins who have won the hearts of thousands upon thousands of visitors to the region each year.
Artist: Frank Gordon
Location: Wānaka Puzzling World
The Otago Shore & Land Trust are proud to have Naggie and the Fathman, private philanthropists who believe in helping preserve New Zealand’s treasures, as supporters of the Hīkoi project.
Artist: Aroha Novak
Location: Lylo Hotel Queenstown
Investing in the future today—Green Sage Ventures is a private investment firm dedicated to sustainable investments. The firm is proud to support the Otago Shore & Land Trust’s Hīkoi o te Taoka | March of the Treasures initiative and to be part of helping save the hoiho for future generations.
Artist: KORYU
Location: Queenstown Airport
The OPERA (Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance) is a private eco-reserve dedicated to conservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and education. As a tourism operator located on the dramatic headland of the Otago Peninsula, we are privileged to be the custodians, the kaitiaki of this beautiful and very special part of Aotearoa. We recognise that with this connection to land and sea comes a responsibility of care. Our kaupapa, our purpose, is anchored in protecting and restoring the environment and the precious taoka, species, that welcome our visitors. Supporting the Hīkoi o te Taoka is an extension of this commitment.
At The OPERA, our mahi is guided by four enduring pillars — conservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and education. Through conservation, we protect and preserve threatened species and ecosystems that define our region’s natural identity. Our rehabilitation work supports the recovery of sick and injured wildlife. Our restoration projects protect what remains and regenerates what has been lost, reviving biodiversity and nurturing resilient native forests, wetlands, and habitats for future generations. And through education, we empower visitors, schools, and communities to understand their role as kaitiaki — guardians of this precious environment.
Through our connection with the Hīkoi o te Taoka we share in a collective vision: one where tourism strengthens our relationship with nature, honours whakapapa, and gives life back to the places that give so much to us.
Website: www.theopera.co.nz
Facebook: @the.opera.nz
Instagram: @the.opera.nz
Artist: Shane Walker
Location: Oamaru Victorian Precinct
At Platinum Recruitment, raising the bar isn’t just something we say, it’s what we do every day. Our work connects talented people with businesses across Aotearoa, helping organisations thrive and building stronger communities through the power of great people.
But for us, community extends far beyond the workplace. Manaakitanga guides how we show up, give back, and support the wellbeing of the place we call home. A thriving Aotearoa means caring for people, protecting our wildlife and natural environment, and championing the research and initiatives that help our ecosystems recover.
When we learned about Hīkoi o te Taoka – March of the Treasures, we instantly recognised a project aligned with our values. This art‑in‑action initiative creates meaningful opportunities for our communities to learn about the preservation of Aotearoa’s endangered species and the organisations working tirelessly on their behalf.
We’re proud to stand as Guardians and to support The OPERA and the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital in their vital mahi. Together, we can raise the bar for conservation and help secure the future of the taonga that make Aotearoa unique.
Website: www.platinumrecruitment.co.nz
Facebook: @platinumrecruitment.co.nz
Artist: Nic Dempster
Location: Dunedin Railway Station Platform
The heart of Sir Neil and Lady Diana Isaac's legacy is their McLean's Island property in Christchurch. As a quarry reclamation project, their plans for it were intricate, determined and visionary. Now over half a century later, the result is something tremendous and the landscape is internationally recognised as the best of its kind. The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust are guardians of this land which is used primarily for the study, protection and breeding of native flora and fauna. It is a beautiful, elaborate and wide-ranging conservation space - one that upholds and protects the fragile natural treasures of New Zealand. Thanks to the generosity of the Isaacs, the conservation of this environment will continue in perpetuity.
Each year we raise hundreds of birds in our aviary facilities for release into the wild and have helped to turn the fortunes of these species around and put them on the path of recovery. We work in close partnership with the Department of Conservation and play a crucial role in the recovery programmes for five endangered native bird species including kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet, tūturuatu/NZ shore plover, kakī/black stilt, whio/blue duck and pāteke/brown teal.
We are also very proud supporters of the Wildlife Hospital based in Dunedin and its critical work in helping protect Aotearoa's native wildlife. Since its inception, the hospital has been steadfast in its ethos of patient care here in the South with an 80% success rate across all species, and ground-breaking management programmes such as its hand-rearing and treatment of diseases for hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin chicks before release back to the wild.
We encourage everyone to vote and help support the protection and recovery of our most threatened species.
Artist: Emma Millburn
Location: Pop-up locations around Dunedin
Much more than a leading Christchurch-based law firm, Tavendale + Partners are pioneers in legal excellence. Serving individuals, families and businesses across Aotearoa and beyond, the firm is proud to be also serving the cause for the protection and preservation of the hoiho. Adept at expertly navigating challenges and identifying opportunities in the legal realm, they are a perfect fit for supporting the challenges and opportunities facing the critically endangered yellow-eyed penguin and we are thrilled to have them on board.
Artist: Bruce Mahalski
Location: Steamer Wharf Queenstown
Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin is proud to be more than a place to build projects — they help build community. With strong local roots, they actively support initiatives that make Dunedin a better place to live, work, and care for the environment we all share. Their sponsorship of one of the Hīkoi o te Taoka hoiho statues for the inaugural Art in Action campaign reflects a genuine commitment to conservation, creativity, and protecting Otago’s unique taoka. By supporting campaigns that connect people with nature and inspire collective action, Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin is living up to their kaupapa to embed sustainability and long-term resilience into everything they do.
Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): Green Sage Ventures
Location: Lylo Hotel Queenstown
About the Artist: Aroha Novak (Ngāi Te rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Ōtepoti Dunedin, New Zealand. Novak holds an MFA from Dunedin School of Art, majoring in Installation art and has exhibited nationally throughout New Zealand at public institutions, public parks and project spaces. Her work is often research based, drawing out indigenous and local histories that have been forgotten or suppressed. She frequently works outside of traditional gallery spaces collaborating with other artists, experts and communities to expand knowledge systems. Her art practise encompasses mural painting, installation, sculpture, photography, design, writing and curating.
About the Art in Action Hoiho
This Hoiho is an indigenous species from Aotearoa who is trying to save his whānau. He wears a colourful korowai, traditional tohu and a taonga from the ocean.
He has the kupu, ‘Hoki Whenua Mai’ on his chest, a powerful sentiment to humans to give him and his whānau their space back so they can survive and thrive once again. This artwork is taken from the perspective of the Hoiho and their plight that humans have created for them. By engaging with indigenous species, we inevitably engage with the indigenous land, it’s people and values. My work seeks to acknowledge and connect hoiho, whenua and tangata within this project, and weaves together the trusts statement ‘ Hikoi o te Taoka’.
Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): Mitre10 MEGA Dunedin
About the Artist: Since 2005 Bruce Mahalski has produced murals and street art in New Zealand between Dunedin in the south and Whangarei in the north with a particularly large number of his works in Wellington. He has also painted murals in number of cities in Great Britain. Many have been commissioned by property companies and City Councils but he is always happy to accept private painting work. Bruce tries to make sure that where possible the mural reflects the local history of the area and compliments the building on which it is placed. He is particularly keen on depicting animals but can turn his hand to most subjects. Bruce has also worked extensively with the Wellington City Council and Phantom Bill Stickers to create opportunities for both local and international mural/street artists to work in New Zealand.
As well as murals Bruce also does illustration work and licenses his existing library of images of New Zealand animals etc for a wide range of applications. He is also a contemporary artist and the director of The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery.
Website: www.mahalski.com
Instagram: @bruce_mahalski
Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): Wild Dunedin
Location: Tūhura Otago Museum Reserve
About the Artist: Claire Rye is a Dunedin-based artist, originally from England. She is a painter who creates pieces using a combination of spray paint and other external mediums. She is known for combining diverse motifs including music, text, creatures, landscapes and vibrant colours into colourful murals.
Claire began her creative career at Wimbledon School of Art in London in 1997. Since arriving in Aotearoa, she has completed an MA in Creative Arts Therapies at Whitecliffe College. Claire is passionate about community engagement in public art projects. She has completed a number of community arts murals with young people in Ōtepoti. She is the co-founder of the South Dunedin Street Art Trail, which has been successful in raising funds for large murals in South Dunedin since 2022.
Facebook: @claireryeart
Instagram: @claireinit
@atfreshperspectives
Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): Tavendale & Partners
About the Artist: Emma Millburn is an upcoming Dunedin-based artist known for her ongoing project 100 Paintings of Dunedin, shared through her Instagram account @ekmvirtualstudios. Her impressionist oil painting series chronicles locations across the region, offering a curated and intentional record for both locals and those visiting the Otago Peninsula.
Her art takes inspiration from artists like Monet and Degas. Using peaceful palettes and dramatic lighting, she applies layered brushwork to communicate the atmosphere and emotion of each location, allowing space for the viewer’s nostalgic memories and personal connection. Originally from America and Canada, her experience of New Zealand as a child and returning as an adult gives her paintings a distinct sense of nostalgia.
Website: ekmvirtualstudios.com
Instagram: @ekmvirtualstudios
Artist: Ginney Deavoll
Location: Larnach Castle, Dunedin
OceanaGold’s sponsorship of the Hīkoi o te Taoka is testament to the companies commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. As a major gold mining company with operations in New Zealand and abroad,
Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): Naggie & Fathman
About the Artist: Frank has been a hard working artist, a painter, based in Dunedin for around 25 years. From Glasgow originally he has made `Dunedin home. He has a tendency towards painting people and birds, nature and landscapes. His love of vibrant colours, exaggerated features, whimsy and most importantly a story in every painting, captures the imagination. He has dabbled with murals and book illustrations and has won a couple of art awards and has been shortlisted for the Margaret Mahey prize for children's book illustration over the years.
Frank's vibrant works mesmerise with their bold use of colour, capturing the shifting moods of land, sea, animals, and people with whimsical illustration. Working primarily in acrylic and oil, Frank is inspired by the picture books of his childhood and his art tells vivid stories in every piece.
With exhibitions across Aotearoa and works held in private collections worldwide, Frank’s art has earned recognition for its ability to balance strength with sensitivity.
About the Art in Action Hoiho
When Carla first told me about the Yellow eyed penguin project I knew exactly how I wanted to paint it. I actually thought “what would the penguin want?” Fish of course! Probably the reason the penguin gets up in the morning and waddles in to the ocean. Fish. Lots of fish. For the next week I thought about painting fishes. What fish did the Hoiho eat? Better look that up. Better make sure I paint only the ones they eat. A big, swirling shoal of fish darting across the Hoiho’s body. But as I began painting I realised I didn’t really need to paint an accurate depiction of the diet of the yellow eyed penguin. This wasn’t National Geographic and Sir David Attenborough wasn’t looking over my shoulder. So I let loose and began painting colourful, made up fishes. The overall look was far more important. I wanted it to be eye catching, colourful, creating movement with lots to see on this penguin shaped 3D canvas. I loved this project and was very happy with the result. I hope it puts a smile on peoples’ faces. I think I managed to paint what I first saw in my minds eye and what the penguin would have wanted. I suppose then it could be called “what the Hoiho’s dreams are made of”.
Instagram: @frankgordonart
Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): OceanaGold Macraes Operation
About the Artist: Ginney Deavoll is a New Zealand painter and storyteller whose work is deeply inspired by the wild and untamed beauty of Aotearoa. With a background in adventure and exploration, her creative practice is shaped by time spent in remote landscapes—kayaking, tramping, and mountaineering—where she forms an intimate connection with the land, sea, and skies that later emerge on canvas.
Working primarily in acrylics, Ginney’s paintings are known for their vibrant colour palettes and layered textures that capture not only the physical presence of a place, but also its mood, atmosphere, and wairua (spirit). Her art invites viewers to pause, reflect, and experience the awe she feels when immersed in nature’s vastness.
Beyond painting, Ginney shares her creative journey through writing and storytelling, weaving narratives that complement her visual work. She has exhibited throughout New Zealand and her art is held in private collections both locally and internationally.
Website: www.ginneydeavoll.com
Instagram: @ginneydeavoll
About the Art in Action Hoiho:
My hoiho statue is designed as a tribute to the yellow-eyed penguin / hoiho and the fragile world it depends on. I have painted it as if it's wearing a cloak adorned with a living habitat, from the sheltered bush where they nest, through to coastal plants and down into the rich underwater environment that sustains them. This hoiho’s cloak reflects my hope that, through care and conservation, these ecosystems will remain abundant, and that viewers will feel both the beauty and the vulnerability of this rare New Zealand taonga.
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Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): The OPERA - Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance
About the Artist: KORYU is recognised for his diverse artworks, spanning from large-scale murals to intricate canvas pieces. Over the past five years, he has been deeply involved in projects across New Zealand, from solo commissions to collaborations with local councils, while also leaving a significant impact in his homeland of Japan and neighbouring Australia. Drawing on his background as a graphic designer, KORYU skillfully integrates visually compelling layouts and impactful colour schemes into his creations, enhancing their appeal.
His achievements include winning the People’s Choice Award at South Sea Spray in Bluff in 2021 and the Flare Street Art Festival in 2022. He has also made appearances on various radio shows and Japanese television programs, expanding his influence. In 2023, he successfully completed an official mural project in collaboration with a major gaming company in Japan.
Website: Koryu88art.com
Instagram: @Koryu88
Wildlife Guardian (statue sponsor): Platinum Recruitment
About the Artist: Shane Walker is a multi-disciplined artist who has been freelancing full time since 2016. Shane grew up in the small NZ coastal town of Waihi Beach, in the Bay Of Plenty of Plenty and now resides in Otago in the Deep South. Shane draws inspiration from his surroundings: landscapes, hobbies, people and everyday life. His works of art reflect this with vibrant quirky creations, often with a strong Kiwiana flare. He balances a dedicated studio practice alongside painting murals throughout the country working with local businesses, franchises, schools and council groups.
Website: Shane Walker
Instagram and Facebook: @shanewalkerartworks
About the Art in Action Hoiho
Dunedin artist Shane Walker brings a splash of character and coastal charm to the Hīkoi o te Taoka with his hoiho dressed in a classic fisherman’s gear - classic sea-faring tattoos included! Clad in an Otago Shore and Land Trust yellow and black 'swannie', this feathered local is ready to brave a southerly and haul in the day’s catch. A playful nod to the shared waters between people and penguins and a reminder that the hoiho has been fishing these seas long before us. With a little dash of salty humour, Shane’s statue celebrates our coastal heritage while gently prompting us to consider how we can all be better kaitiaki/guardians of the ocean.
