Three leading wāhine Māori artists are the first to be announced for First Light - The Lightship's new 2026/27 public art programme, presented by Port of Auckland and curated by Simon Bowerbank.
First Light is a year-long public art programme bringing together six newly commissioned artists to explore the shared theme of arrival. Ashleigh Taupaki will open the programme on 1 September, followed by Ana Iti and Nova Paul, with three further artist commissions to be announced in early 2027.
The opening artists are:
-
Ashleigh Taupaki (Ngāti Hako, Sāmoan), multidisciplinary artist and writer. On view 1 September – 31 October 2026.
-
Ana Iti (Te Rarawa, Ngāi Tūpoto, Ngāti Here, Pākehā), recipient of the 2024 Walters Prize. On view 1 November – 31 December 2026.
-
Nova Paul (Te Uriroroi, Te Parawhau, Ngāpuhi), internationally recognised artist and filmmaker whose work has screened at the Sundance Film Festival. On view 1 January – 28 February 2027.
Together, they will create new commissions exploring the curatorial theme of arrival for Australasia's largest public art lightwall – a 110-metre LED installation embedded within the working infrastructure of the Port of Auckland.
Through the work of its commissioned artists, First Light explores welcome, belonging and connection to place, reflecting on the relationships between harbour, land and city, and between mana whenua and manuhiri.
Event details
What: First Light – The Lightship 2026/27 Public Art Programme
Launch: Tuesday 1 September 2026
Where: The Lightship, Bledisloe Wharf, Port of Auckland
Viewing: Free every night from dusk until dawn
Photo: Jack Clinton Watkins
