Parehuia Residency 2027

The McCahon House Parehuia Residency is one of Aotearoa's most prestigious artist residencies, offering two three-month residency periods in the first half of 2027. Set alongside the McCahon House Museum in Titirangi, Parehuia is a purpose-built, architecturally designed two-bedroom house with an attached studio — a dedicated environment for serious creative work.

The residency is designed for mid-career visual artists at a pivotal moment in their practice: artists who have a clear sense of their work and are ready to take a meaningful step forward. It's not just a residency — it's widely regarded as an award that carries significant mana in the New Zealand arts community.

What's included

• 12 weeks of fully furnished accommodation and studio space
• A monthly stipend
• Hands-on support from the McCahon House team, including strategic conversations, arts sector introductions, and professional opportunities
• A series of bespoke events, developed in consultation with the artist
• A professionally produced education video for use in schools and the wider public
• An in-depth 2,000-word essay written by a writer chosen in discussion with the artist

The residency was established in the spirit of Colin McCahon's own commitment to teaching and mentoring, and is supported by Creative New Zealand's Toi Aotearoa Residencies, Internships and Fellowships Fund, along with Tomorrow Group patrons.

To be eligible, applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, able to reside and work full-time at Parehuia during the residency period, and have a sustained body of work recognised for its artistic excellence — evidenced through exhibition history, published texts, critical reviews, or awards.

Applications close at 4pm on Wednesday 1 July 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by early September 2026.