Little River Gallery

Name: Little River Gallery
Address: 4237 Christchurch Akaroa Road, Little River, 7591, NZ
Telephone: +6433251944
Price range: $$

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Little River Gallery

New Zealand’s favourite destination gallery, exhibiting leading + emerging homegrown artists.

New Zealand’s favourite destination art gallery
Open 7 days, 9am - 5pm

23/06/2026

Alongside Fiona Garlick’s larger-scale works in ‘Birds of a Feather’, visitors will encounter the artist’s smaller sculptures ‘Kea Feathers’ and ‘Huia Feather’. Cast in bronze and float-mounted on the wall, these delicate works honour the beauty and fragility of New Zealand’s native birdlife. Referencing both the endangered kea and the extinct huia, they serve as poignant reminders of what we stand to lose and what remains worth protecting.

Available both in Gallery and online (link in bio), priced from $450.

22/06/2026

A long-term exhibitor with our gallery, and a highly regarded artist who has been working professionally for more than 25 years, Kirsty Nixon has excelled herself with her collection of paintings currently on view in ‘Birds of a Feather’.

Kirsty is known for works rich in verdant flora, glimpses of coastline and, of course, our native birdlife, built up through carefully layered acrylic and her signature crisp, clean lines.

Eleven paintings make up this new body of work, ranging from expansive statement pieces to smaller studies. Acquiring a Kirsty Nixon painting is like hanging a painterly sanctuary in your home; an invitation to pause, look closer, and lose yourself amongst the foliage.

Artwork pictured:

‘Eden’
Acrylic on canvas
1035 × 1230 mm framed (natural wood)
$8,490

‘Downtime’
Acrylic on canvas
785 × 1035 mm framed (natural wood)
$6,390

We are now into the final week of ‘Birds of a Feather’, a captivating exhibition of paintings by Kirsty Nixon and bronze sculpture by Fiona Garlick. Make time to visit this stunning collection; you’ll be glad you did!

All works are also viewable online, link in bio. Get in touch if you see something you love - we ship nationwide and beyond, offer local hand delivery, and flexible layby terms. We can make it happen. ✨

21/06/2026

A new work by Fiona Garlick currently on view in ‘Birds of a Feather’, ‘The Lookout and The Three’ has been garnering a lot of attention, and it’s easy to see why.

Beautifully observed and full of character, this bronze sculpture depicts a vigilant California Quail keeping watch over three chicks. The title, ‘The Three’, hints at a wider story - of larger clutches, and the few that continue on.

Interestingly, through exhibiting this work we’ve learned that the California (or Sentinel) Quail is one of the few non-native species to have established itself in New Zealand with little impact on its adopted environment. All the more reason to appreciate these endearing birds, now a familiar sight throughout the country.

Artwork detail:

‘The Lookout and The Three’
Fiona Garlick
Cast bronze
Edition 1 of 7
120 × 350 × 260 mmH
$11,000

19/06/2026

We’ve got your weekend activity sorted - come along and experience our current exhibition ‘Birds of a Feather’! Featuring painter Kirsty Nixon and sculptor Fiona Garlick, this exhibition reflects on our longstanding fascination with birds - as companions, symbols, witnesses, and carriers of memory. Across canvas and bronze there is so much to admire in ‘Birds of a Feather’, don’t miss it - on view in its entirety until June 29. ✨

Exhibition artwork is also viewable and purchasable online via our website, link in bio.

17/06/2026

Working with native and reclaimed timbers, Shannon Turuwenua creates contemporary sculptural forms that explore themes of whakapapa, identity and connection. Each piece reflects a deep respect for both material and story, transforming timber rich with history into works that resonate.

We have three of Shannon’s wall-hung sculptures available to view and purchase in Gallery and online via our website.

Artwork detail as follows:

‘Ahopoka’
River totara
740 x 220mm + rope

‘Hīra’
Rimu
660 x 310mm + rope

‘Whakakotahi’
River Totara
1050 x 250mm + rope

All priced at $1450

16/06/2026

‘Little Messenger’ by Fiona Garlick

Part of an ongoing body of work exploring the historical introduction of non-native plants and animals to New Zealand, this sculpture considers the layered histories embedded within Aotearoa’s environment.

Perched atop an oversized acorn, the pīwakawaka (fantail) in ‘Little Messenger’ creates a reversal of scale and perspective. By enlarging the acorn beyond its natural proportions, Fiona draws attention to the ways we perceive aspects of the natural world and the complex relationships between flora and fauna. The title references Māori narratives in which the pīwakawaka is associated with carrying messages between spiritual and human realms.

Cast in bronze and presented on a bluestone plinth, this example is version II of ‘Little Messenger’, distinguished by its tucked left wing, edition 1 of 7. Currently on view and available as part of the exhibition ‘Birds of a Feather’, alongside paintings by Kirsty Nixon, in Gallery and online until 29 June.

Artwork detail:

‘Little Messenger’
Fiona Garlick
Cast bronze on bluestone plinth
360 x 250 x 180mm - sculpture
980mm - plinth
$15,000

15/06/2026

It’s not gone unnoticed around here that we’ve just ticked over 10,000 followers (on Instagram)! With so many new people interested in what we do, it feels like a good time to reintroduce ourselves.

My name is Kim Wright-Stow, and together with my husband Aslan, I own and run Little River Gallery. Since taking on the gallery in 2021, we’ve had the privilege of continuing a much-loved family business and working alongside a fantastic team to bring outstanding contemporary New Zealand art to our community.

It’s been a pretty challenging start to the year, with February’s flooding forcing us to close for six weeks while we cleaned up and refurbished our space. Coming through that has made us even more grateful for the support of our wonderful artists, collectors, and visitors - both virtual and through our doors.

Whether you’ve called in our gallery before, are planning a visit (you know you want to!), have browsed our website, or simply follow along here - thank you! We genuinely couldn’t do what we do without you. 🙏🏼

Photo credit - Jaymie Challis Photography - one of a series of images taken last year celebrating the 25th anniversary of Little River Gallery ✨

11/06/2026

The kārearea, crowned New Zealand’s Bird of the Year 2025, takes centre stage in two compelling paintings by Kirsty Nixon featured in our current exhibition, ‘Birds of a Feather’. These acrylic-on-canvas works present two distinct perspectives of Aotearoa’s native falcon, set against evocative landscapes that will resonate with many Cantabrians.

In ‘Liberty’, the kārearea is depicted in flight, soaring above rolling countryside, pockets of native bush, and flowering tī kōuka beneath expansive skies. The painting conveys a powerful sense of freedom and connection to the land.

In ‘Backyard’, the watchful falcon perches on a weathered fence post, overlooking familiar Peninsula-like hills. Its keen gaze and commanding presence are beautifully captured, offering a more intimate encounter with this iconic bird.

Audiences can view these captivating works along with Kirsty’s full collection for ‘Birds of a Feather’ both in Gallery and online until June 29 (website link in bio). All work is available for purchase, we ship nationwide and beyond and offer flexible layby terms. Artwork detail as follows;

‘Backyard’
Kirsty Nixon
Acrylic on canvas
785 x 785mm framed
$5790

‘Liberty’
Kirsty Nixon
Acrylic on canvas
750 x 1500mm unframed
$6990

10/06/2026

Our current exhibition - on view until June 29 - ‘Birds of a Feather’ brings together painter Kirsty Nixon and sculptor Fiona Garlick in an exhibition that explores our enduring fascination with birds - as companions, symbols, witnesses, and carriers of memory.

Address

4237 Christchurch Akaroa Road
Little River
7591

Telephone

+6433251944

Website

http://www.littlerivergallery.com/, https://littlerivergallery.com/collections/exhibition-kirsty-nixon-and-fiona-garlick

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