The McCahon House Parehuia Artist Residency – Offshore Pathways is awarded to one outstanding mid-career visual artist who is actively developing international pathways for their practice. 

Alongside a six-week residency at Parehuia to focus on their artistic practice, the successful artist will participate in a tailored programme of international connections and exchange. This will build on the artist’s existing international interests, with introductions to artists, curators and arts professionals identified as relevant to their practice and areas of international development.

The opportunity is open to artists from Aotearoa (based here or offshore) working across the visual arts who have demonstrated significant artistic talent and excellence through an established body of work. Applicants should be at a point in their career where they are actively developing their international practice and have already begun to establish connections, experience or opportunities beyond Aotearoa, and who have a sense of how they would like to advance their international goals.

The residency is supported by Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa through the Arts Organisations and Groups Fund, and by McCahon House’s Tomorrow Group patrons.

The residency is offered for 6 consecutive weeks, 13 September - 24 October 2027 (note: dates are approximate and will be confirmed on selection).

Details of the Residency, 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.

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 28 October 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

The successful applicant will be notified by late November 2026

Artists will receive the following benefits:

- 6 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 $7,500 provided to the artist in one installment prior to your arrival at Parehuia. This includes a $750 bond that will be paid to you on completion of your Residency obligations (see Conditions and Expectations).

- 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. 

- Bespoke mentoring and advice from accomplished arts colleagues with experience and knowledge of international engagement and markets and may include commissioning a writer. The bespoke programme will be determined in consultation with the selected artist.

- 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.

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 Artist Residency - Offshore Pathways residency in 2027 are:

a. The timing of the residency is a 'game changer' for a mid-career artist - extending their creative and professional capacity to reach their international goals, and

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

4. Applicants must be a mid-career visual artist who can show an interest in or provide international potential in their work. A mid-career artist is defined as 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 three 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. The Panel will meet in November. The Panel membership will be made public after the artist has 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 an event held during their residency. The timing and format will be determined in consultation with the Artist.

2. Artists will produce a post-residency report.

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

4. 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. 

5. 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.