Whispering waves lap the shore of Connells Bay. This secluded haven on Waiheke Island holds a secret. It’s not just a beautiful bay. Connells Bay is home to a world-class sculpture park. For over thirty years philanthropists Jo and John Gow have nurtured this unique place. More than forty large sculptures by prominent New Zealand artists grace the landscape.
Imagine strolling through native bush. You’ll discover works in a variety of materials. Bronze aluminum concrete fibreglass iron stone and wood are just some of them. Some sculptures are enormous reaching up to eight meters high. Scottish comedian Billy Connolly himself visited. He called the park one of the most beautiful and peaceful places he’d ever seen. His visit was even featured in his 2005 TV show. He was so impressed he even shipped two pieces home.
The sculptures are not just beautiful. Many are site-specific. They are created for this very location. This includes Fatu Feu’u’s Guardian of the Planting. Carved into a giant macrocarpa tree stump it’s firmly rooted to its spot. Other works like Chris Booth’s Slip address environmental concerns. It’s a clever use of stones to help prevent soil erosion.
Connells Bay is more than just art. It’s a story. The history of the bay is reflected in the sculptures. Peter Nicholls’ Tomo a winding river of timber recalls the four families who first claimed the land. Neil Dawson’s Other People’s Houses comments on the impact of colonial settlement. It directly references the three 19th-century cottages still standing. Even the seemingly simple Three Cows Looking Out to Sea by Jeff Thomson tells a story of the bay’s agricultural past.
The park offers guided walks lasting over two hours. You can explore the two-kilometer track through bush and farmland. The views of the Hauraki Gulf are breathtaking. Don’t forget to visit the Gowshed Gallery. It features smaller sculptures and a library.
But Connells Bay’s story isn’t over. In 2025 the property was sold to real estate entrepreneur Megan Jaffe and her husband. This marks a new chapter. But the Jaffe’s intend to preserve this important cultural treasure for generations to come. So when you visit Connells Bay remember you’re experiencing more than just art. You are walking through history a story told in stone wood and steel.