Top 40 public sculptures and outdoor art in Auckland
- By: Auckland for Kids
- Published:
Find out where Auckland's most popular sculptures in Auckland are for families and kids.
Galleries and museums are fun, but kids will enjoy discovering public art outdoors in the sun and even the rain too! Auckland has lot’s of public sculpture for you to enjoy, from to we have it all.
Here is our list of the best public sculptures in the city to seek out soon!
1. The Wind Tree by Michio Ihara
This is an iconic stainless sculpture for Auckland kids who grow up going paddling underneath it in summer in Silo Park. Although it’s not an official paddling pool, kids love playing in pool and running up and down the green mounds that separate it from the basketball court.
Admire the stainless steel trusses swining in the wind while your kids play.
Where can you find it: In Silo Park next to the basketball courts and childrens playground in Auckland City Centre
2. Boy Walking by Ronnie van Hout
You can’t miss this giant size boy sculpture striding purposefully in Potter’s Park. Get a photo of your kids under Boy Walking, even your teens and tweens will look small.
Where can you find see him? Walking on the Dominion Road edge of Potters Park in Balmoral in Central Auckland.
3. Te Ara I Whiti - The Pink Lightpath by Arekataera Katz Maihi, iion Limited
Where can I find this? You can walk, bike or scooter on the light path. There are entrances to the Lightpath from the top of Nelson Street and East Street in Newton in Auckland City Centre.
4. Twist and Thief by Tanja McMillian | Misery and John Oz4ie
The cute anime bronze sculptures are a hit with little kids.
Where can I find this? On the footpath on K Road (the 2 sculptures are at 179 and 184 Karangahape Road) in Auckland City Centre.
5. Te Kanohi o Te Manu | The Eye of the Bird by Philipp Meier
Kids love this giant corten steel pied shag bird sculpture, because as well as being stunning to look at it has a slide inside the bird to play on. Adults if you can’t fit down the slide you can still climb up the stairs and into it’s body for a view out the top too!
Where can I see it? Harrier Point Park and Playground in Hobsonville Point, North-West Auckland.
6. Sounds of the Sea by Company duo Johan Olin and Aamu Song
Sounds of the Sea is one of our families favourite interactive public artworks in Auckland. Each time we go down to North Wharf we take a photo of the kids playing in them and it’s fun to watch them grow over the years and how they start of looking small in the funnel and then filling it up by the time they are teenagers. You can talk through the speaking tube funnels, climb into them or just admire the shiny beauty of the sculpture representing ship funnels.
Where can I find this? There are 3 sets of Sound Wave Sculptures on North Wharf between Silo Park overlooking the harbour.
7. The Lighthouse by Michael Parekowhai
The classic 1950’s state house Tu Whenua-a-Kura sculpture by New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai is situated at the end of Queens Wharf overlooking the Waitemata Harbour. Inside The Lighthoues sculpture are glowing neon lights and a giant stainless steel sculpture of Captain Cook. Just a warning, as you head down Queens Wharf let the kids know that you won’t be able to actually go inside the light house, but they can look into and through the windows – that way there won’t be any disappointment when you get up close. The kids can climb up the stair case on the outside of it through!
you can’t go inside the lighthouse
Where can I see it? At the end of Queens Wharf in Auckland City Centre or on the sea from the ferries as they come into town.
8. Knocknock by Seung Yul Oh
Kids love playing and climbing on the eight bright coloured eggs dotted throughout the street in Newmarket created by South Korean artist, Seung Yul Oh. These have been a favourite with our kids when they were little and still bring a smile to their faces as teenagers too!
Where can I see these? In Newmarket on Osborne Street and Teed Street
9. Waharoa by Selwyn Muru
Wharoa is one of Auckland’s most well known sculptures in Aotea Square by artist Selwyn Muru. Children love walking under the giant wooden artwork which represents the spiritual forces of the sea, sky and land.
Where can I see it? In Aotea Square, between the Town Hall overlooking Queen Street in the city centre.
10. Kaitiaki by Fred Graham
This large steel-plate hawk bird is one of our families favourite outdoor sculptures in Auckland Domain by Maori sculptor Fred Graham. It can seem a little intimidating for young kids at first, but the hawk is impressive when you get up close to it. It is situated at the top of the hill where it can be the guardian of the land.
Where can I see it? Auckland Domain (Between the rear entrance of Auckland Museum and Football Road) in Parnell.
11. Cytoplasm by Phil Price
Children like watching the silver Cytoplasm discs of the kinetic sculpture by Phil Price move in the wind into different shapes.
Where can I see it? In Waitemata Plaza by the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland City Centre.
12.Upon a Pond by Seung Yul Oh
Admire the giant bubble cluster interactive sculpture by artist Seung Yul Oh which let’s out steam out the white pipes. There is also another colourful lightbox sculpture Droop a Loop by Seung Yul Oh under the roof outside Albany Stadium Pool.
Where can I see it? Next to the Albany Stadium Pool, In Albany on Auckland’s North Shore.
13. The Women's Suffrage Mural by Jan Morrison and Claudia Pond Eyley
This is a classic piece of public art in Auckland of mosaic panels on the Te Ha o Hine Place fountain , walls and stairs representing the struggle to women to vote in 1893.
Where can I see it? Te Ha o Hine Place which connects the Auckland Art Gallery to Lorne Street in the Auckland City Centre.
14. Hinaki Guardian by Virginia King
The giant silver stainless steel sculpture by artist Virgina King represents an eel trap or Hinaki. Historically the nearby tidal flats where breeding grounds for eels, fish and shellfish. Two brass rings encircle the Hinaki on the wharf and have the poem Eel by Fiona Farrell engraved in them.
Kids will enjoy looking down through the eel trap and whole in the wharf to see what sealife is in the water below. At night, the blue lights under the wharf reflect and lots of small fish are attracted.
Where can I see it? Hobsonville Ferry Wharf at Hobsonville Point in North-West Auckland.
15. Karangahape Road Fountain by Greet Twis
This is one of Auckland’s older sculpture fountains that the bronze has weathered into a stunning shade of green. The kids enjoy watching the water running down the grooves in the sculpture. We recommend visiting this sculpture in the day time rather than at night.
Where can I see it? Pigeon Park on Karangahape Road
16. Long Modified Bench by Jeepe Hein
We first say this long and bendy park bench on the terrace at Auckland Art Gallery and the kids likes to climb and slide on it there. It’s now moved to Waitemata Plaza where the kids still enjoy playing on it. Plus now at night time the artwork is light up with LED lights. If we are honest though, we preferred it when the long modified sculpture was on the terrace at the art gallery overlooking Albert Park as it was another fun area the kids could burn off in the gallery whilst parents could sit and relax and take in the green view of the park.
Where can I see and play on this? Waitemata Plaza next to the Viaduct Harbour
17. Newmarket Street Art murals by Flox
We love Flox’s work and her colourful murals.
Where can I see these? Clayton Street, York Street, Eden Street ad 242 Broadway in Newmarket.
18. Beacon by Lang Ea
Discover artist Lang Ea’s mirrored surface sculpture Beacon all light in purple at night time at Milford Reserve overlooking the marina. Kids will love watching their own reflection in the sculpture too!
Where can I see it? Milford Reserve, Milfordcytoplas
19. Tree Cozy by Alison Milne and the community
Kids will enjoy seeing the pohutukwa tree that has been cozied by Alison Milne of Knitted Graffti and the community in shares of red, orange and hot pink wool.
Where can I see it? Launch Road, Hobsonville Point.
20. DOO and VIC and TEATUBE by John Radford
Next time you head to Western Park checkout John Radford’s sculptures which make reference to the loss of key archictecture in Auckland City.
Where can I see it? Western Park near the Ponsonby Road end
21. Soapbox
This fun sculpture overlooks Lake Pupuke and is close to the Pumphouse Theatre. Kids will enjoy climbing onto the raised soapbox made out of concrete and steel to tell their story, or perform.
Where can I see it? Killarney Park in Takapuna on the North Shore.
22. The Playing Windmills by Leone van den Eijkel
Kids will love watching the giant colourful windmills by artist Leon van den Eijkel who grew up in Holland.
Where can I see it? Corner de Havilland and Wallace Roads in Hobsonville Point
23. OnDo by Seung Yul Oh
This is a fun sculpture made up of orange road work barriers surrounding the giant suspended noodles and chopsticks. The noodles made out of cables appear to be suspended in the air, but it’s actually an optical illusion.
Where can I see it? 527 Dominion Road in Balmoral (diagonally opposite Potters Park in Balmoral).
24. Nuffield Lane Street Art by Various Artist
This back street in Newmarket first had a community art project to display Auckland’s street art talent. You will find street art murals by BMD, Charles and Jannine Williams, Erika Pearce and more. Later a contemporary mural of birds was added by Melina Butt to Nuffieldl Lane.
Where can I see it? Nuffield Lane in Newmarket
25. Mahi Tahi by Jae Kang
Kids can play with the bright yellow and purple kinetic sculpture by turning the two crank handles to move each of the giant ribbon blades.
Where can I see it? Pukekohe Town Square off King Street in Pukekohe, South Auckland.
26. Aramarama Millenium Footbridge by Virginia King and Chris Thom
The bridge is as much a good shortcut straight to Mission Bay Beach as well as a beautiful sculpture in the shape of a waka prow and aerial Pohutukawa roots.
Where can I see the bridge? Aramarma connects Selwyn Domain at Mission Bay to Tamaki Drive
27. Silver by Virginia King
The giant circular silver stainless-steel sculpture is like a magnet for kids. The sculpture has become a symbol of the constant traffic that flows through this intersection.
Where can I see it? Corner of Broadway and Khyber Pass in Newmarket
28. Andale, Andale by Reuben Paterson
Rueben Paterson’s glittering artworks are always a hit with the kids. This giant flower art work used 15 large sheets of aluminium. Andale, Andle is Latin American and means to ” Hurry Up”, which is fitting given it is right next to the train station and people are quickly coming and going.
Where can I see it? Outside Newmarket Train Station on Remuera Road
29. The World Grasped by Terry Stringer
Terry Stringer’s bronze sculptures need to be viewed from all angels to fully appreciate them. This sculpture has three different images: the head of a boy resting on this hand, a hand plucking an apple and the world being supported on the shoulders of Atlas. Challenge your kids to see if they can find all 3 of them.
Where can I see it? Broadway in Newmarket, between the Olympic Swimming Pool and the roundabout
30. Transitional Line by Elke Fikenauer
Families an admire the twirly corten steel lines by artist Elke Fikenaur of New Zealand and German descent. The corten steel lines make for a fun family photo background too!
Where can I see it? Croftfield Lane Stormwater Wetland in Wairau Valley on Auckland’s North Shore
31. Estuarine by Louise Purvis
Kids can spot the fun artwork on the retaining wall underneath Harrier Point Point. The winding red scoria filled tubular baskets represent Hobsonville’s sinuous waterways viewed from the air.
Where can I see it? On Launch Road in Hobsonville Point
32. Water Feature by Ted Smyth
Fun modern stainless steel water feature in Lumsden Green in Newmarket by Ted Smyth.
Where can I see it? In Lumsden Green in Newmarket
34. Eyelight Lane by David Svensson
The red neon zig zag lights brighten up this lane at nightime. Note, we don’t recommend visiting the artwork to late in the evening with kids.
Where can I see it? Fort Lane which connects Fort Street to Custom Street in Auckland City Centre.
33. Flight Support for Albatross by Greet Twiss
Admire the stainless steel albatross birds flying high in the sky overlooking the Auckland Harbour. Get the kids to stand underneath the giant sculpture photo for a fun family photo.
Where can I see it? At the end of Victoria Wharf in Devon port on the North Shore. If you are arriving into Devonport by Ferry keep a look out as you can see the sculpture on your ferry ride some days.
35. Downtown Tiki by Dick Frizzell
We love Dick Frizzells’ Dowtown Tiki mural painted on the wall next to Baduzzi in Wynyard Quarter
Where can I see it? North Wharf between Auckland Fish Market and Baduzzi in Auckland City Centre.
36. Mountain Fountain by Terry Stringer
The Mountain Fountain has had a few different locations in Auckland, but this one suits it perfectly.
Where can I see it? Outside the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.
37. Transformer by John Edga7
Kids love to touch the smooth granite Transformer tower sculpture by New Zealand artist John Edgar in Auckland Domain.
Where can I see it? In Auckland Domain (near the intersection of Domain Drive and Lower Domain Drive) in Parnell, Central Auckland
38. Spring by Christine Hellyar
Kids love to play on sculptor Christine Hellyar’s sculpture made out of three large basalt rocks with tow bronze ferns in Auckland Domain.
An interesting fact for your family to know is that the sculpture is sited here to commemorate the site of Auckland City’s first public water supply.
Where can I see it? Between the duck pond and the Wintergarden in Auckland Domain.
39. Cheese Table and Sofa by Karen Kennedy
Take the kids to play and sit on the sofa and table covered in handmade tiles by Karen Kennedy in Onehunga’s main street, the Onehunga Mall.
Where can I see it? Onehunga Mall, near the Church Street intersection in Onehunga.
40. Dale the Spider
The Avondale spider sculpture is an oldy but a goody and represents the giant huntsman spider in Avondale.
Where can I see it? Great North Road in Avondale.
You may also like
The Best Stargazing Spots in New Zealand for Families with Kids
Your Ultimate Family Guide to Mangawhai: The Perfect Auckland Escape with Kids!
Explore the Enchanting New Hobbit Hole at the Hobbiton Movie Set
Packing for a Family Adventure in New Zealand: Essentials for Parents and Kids
Christchurch Summer School Holiday Fun for Kids
