The Auction on the 16th of March 2008 was very successful. We raised $7,000.

The Art Auction and Viewing was open to the general public at the Waiohiki Creative Arts Village form 10.00am on March the 16^th.

Many people including prospective buyers viewed the artwork to be auctioned. A mixture of magnificent artwork was on display including many works by Maori artists, complimented by a full quota of Waiohiki Village Artists.

Works by Para Matchitt, Dick Frizzell, Jacob Scott, Fane Flaws, Linda Bruce, Jaqueline Wardle were but a few of the guest artists contributing.

The auction itself began just after 3pm with many serious bidders present. Approximately $12,000 of artwork was sold with over half the artwork gifted to the Waiohiki Community Charitable Trust outright.

TV personality Mark Sainsbury was invited and accepted to come to the Hui & Huilli, purchasing several works of art for his own collection. National TV coverage of the Hui & Huilli events was given on his TV show prior to the events themselves. Mark proposed the St Patrick’s Day Toast “Kia ora Begorrah!”

Pa Whakairo Carvers and other residents from the Creative Arts Village all benefited from exposure in the Art Auction sitting alongside ‘name’ artists, which becomes an investment for their future. Revenue gained from the sales of the work (on a commission base) will help offset the overall financial loss of the other events.