The McCahon House Parehuia Artist Residency is awarded to two outstanding mid-career artists each year. The two three-month residencies are supported by the Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Residencies, Internships and Fellowships Fund, and our Tomorrow Group patrons.

The residency is open to artists working across the visual arts disciplines with proven talent, who have completed a body of work acknowledged for its artistic excellence and who are ready to take a step forward in their practice.

Details of the Residency Programme, Parehuia, Application Criteria, Selection Process and Conditions and Expectations can be found at the end of this form.

Please list your referee below and supply an accompanying written reference with your application.

Residencies are offered for 12 consecutive weeks. Please indicate your preferred 12-week period(s) in the boxes below. We will try to provide your first choice but this is not guaranteed.

Note: Dates are approximate and will be confirmed on selection.

Please provide the following in support of your application:

4. Answer the following two questions. Up to 400 words each.

Applications must arrive no later than 4pm on Wednesday 1 July 2026

If you would like to discuss your application or require any assistance regarding the process please contact:

Tamara Rakich (Operations Manager)
tamara@mccahonhouse.org.nz

Successful applicants will be notified by early September 2026

Artists will receive the following benefits:

- 12 weeks accommodation in a fully furnished, architecturally designed two-bedroom house at 69 Otitori Bay Road, Titirangi. Electricity, phoneline and fibre usage is included.

- Exclusive use of the adjoining studio.

- A total stipend of $15,000 provided to the artist in three monthly installments (including a bond).

- Unlimited access to the restored McCahon House Museum on the adjacent property.

- Support from the McCahon House team and Trust for the duration of your residency. This can include strategic conversations to identify potential opportunities or arts sector introductions.

- Welcome event held at Parehuia.

- A bespoke engagement event such as an open studio, artist talk, conversation, workshop etc. held at Parehuia. The format, focus and timing will be decided in consultation with the McCahon House team.

- A bespoke 'Gate Gathering' for yourself and a select number of guests and supporters. The format and location will be decided in consultation with the McCahon House team.

- An education video produced during your time at Parehuia available for use in schools and the wider public.

- An in-depth, 2000-word essay completed by a writer chosen in discussion between the Artist and the McCahon House team.

Parehuia is an award-winning house designed by architect, Pete Bossley and is situated close to the beach at French Bay in the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges, approximately 30 minutes’ drive from central Auckland.

Facilities include one queen and one twin bedroom, one bathroom, two toilets, laundry and fully-equipped kitchen. The living room, bedrooms and studio are all fitted with air conditioning and fibre internet.

The artist’s studio is approximately 7.5 x 5m. It is equipped with chairs, tables, sink and bench, dehumidifier and fibre internet.

Adjacent to the residency is the restored house where Colin McCahon and his family lived from 1953-1960. As a House Museum it is open to the public from 1-4pm, Saturday and Sunday and by appointment Wednesday - Friday.

Due to the steep hillside aspect of the property there are stairs making it difficult for access to those requiring wheelchair access.

1. Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand at the time of entry.

2. Applicants must be able to reside and work full-time at Parehuia during the term of the residency.

3. The McCahon House Trust strategic priorities for the Parehuia Residency in 2027 are:

a. The timing of the residency is a 'game changer' for a mid-career artist - extending their creative and professional practice, and

b. The Parehuia location and environment enable a sense of focus and intention.

4. The residency structure and wrap-around support is ideally suited to a mid-career artist – someone who has confidence and a sense of clarity of their arts practice, as well as how to utilise the residency and ensure that it is transformational and advances their career.  

5. The artist must show a practice that has been sustained and have received community acknowledgement – this can be shown through their CV, in particular their exhibition history, published texts, critical reviews and/or awards. The artist must have a sufficient body of work which clearly demonstrates current practice and development. 

1. Applications are considered by our independent selection panel. The panel membership includes a spread of cultural and artistic knowledge, as well as gender and geographical networks across Aotearoa. It comprises five colleagues from the visual arts community – gallery directors, curators, critics, writers, academics, senior practitioners, and will have one representative from the McCahon House Trust and our Parehuia alumni.

2. An independent Chair will run a Panel meeting in August.

3. The Panel membership will be made public after the artists have been selected and announced.

4. The selection panel’s decision will be final. Feedback can be provided on request within a month of notification if available.

1. Artists will engage and connect with McCahon House audiences, including arts professionals, artists, visitors and supporters, via a programme of events held during their residency. The timing and format of these activities will be determined in consultation with the Artist.

2. Artists will be asked to contribute to video documentation of their time at Parehuia for educational use.

3. Artists will produce a post-residency report.

4. Artists will donate an artwork to the McCahon House Trust Parehuia Collection, which represents an archive of work by Parehuia alumni.

5. Artists will be asked to donate an original artwork or a limited-edition artwork to the McCahon House Trust for fundraising purposes. Details including medium, size, price, production details and timing will be decided in discussion with the Artist and the McCahon House team. The materials and/or production cost of the donated artworks is to be borne by the Trust up to $500. All funds generated will support the ongoing running of the Parehuia residency programme. 

6. Selected artists based outside of Tāmaki Makarau Auckland or Aotearoa New Zealand are responsible for their own travel and all other related costs to take up the Parehuia residency.