About Te Kupenga

The stone sculpture society called “Te Kupenga,” (“The Net”) originated through New Zealand's "Taranaki Festival of the Arts" with the purpose of reviving and promoting the art of hard stone sculpture in the region, with Taranaki andesite as the medium. Over the ensuing biennial symposia The Net has been cast worldwide and has brought us many quality stone sculptors. The consequent sharing of ideas, knowledge and skills has seen the standard of work continue to rise over the duration of Te Kupenga’s existence.

The local public interest in stone art led to the establishment of the Te Kupenga Stone Sculpture Society Incorporated. 

We have facilitated stone sculpture courses, in conjunction with Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT).

To accommodate our growing ranks of local sculptors, Te Kupenga has now established a permanent working base on Centennial Drive (under the Paritutu Rock), complete with club rooms, a working area and essential supporting equipment (such as compressors and mobile lifting equipment). Sculptors supply their own carving tools.

The Society continues in good heart and the increasing number of participants appears to ensure the promotion of the art of stone in New Plymouth for some considerable time.

Biennial Symposium

We are very grateful to the New Plymouth District Council for their generous support by way of funding and their provision of such an ideal foreshore site for the symposium. Positioned as it is, beside the sea and the splendid public walkway, backgrounded by the swaying Wind Wand and fully serviced with power and water; this is a perfectly located symposium attracting visitors from Taranaki and beyond. We feel that a fine working relationship has been established with the Council, to our mutual benefit. Many local businesses also give us their support and sponsorship. This allows Te Kupenga to remain the pre-eminent andesite stone symposium in New Zealand, and one of the few remaining hard stone events being held. In return we are able to further New Plymouth’s distinction as a nationally recognised centre for excellence in Art.