The History of the Village

The School Masters House, now used for workshops

In May 2001 a group of seven artists, led by Bob Lawson, decided to establish an Art Group on Great Barrier Island. In October of that year, the group registered the Aotea Community Artz Charitable Trust. At first the Trust had no home or exhibition space. The artists took their work to Waiheke Gallery in 2002 and 2004. The Claris Texas Cafe, Currach Irish pub and Tryphena Hall were commandeered for on island exhibition space.

Two old buildings - the Mabey House built in 1908, and the Gray Cottage built in 1922, had been gifted to Bob Lawson and Di Hayes, and relocated to land in Gray Road. A third building joined these in 2004 - the Tryphena School Masters House - rescued from demolition, and purchased for the nominal sum of $1.00.
In December, following a huge amount of voluntary work by artists and other members of the community, the School Masters House was opened as the Aotea Gallery.

For the next 5 years the Gallery continued to develop. In 2009 the name was changed to the Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust to better reflect all the aims of the Trust. With support from the Great Barrier Local Board and Auckland Council, the three buildings were moved in November 2009 from Gray Road, to their current site on Hector Sanderson Road. 

Throughout 2010 and 2011 restoration work continued on the Mabey House, and in July 2011 the Mabey Gallery opened.  The former Gallery had become too small to display the artwork being created, so became our workshop space, with room for meetings, workshops and Kids Art Club.

The original office - now the front desk area in the shop

The first - very basic - kitchen in the Mabey Gallery

The hallway in the Gallery

Structural restoration of the Gray House was completed in 2017. This building had always been destined to become our museum, housing the expanding collection of heritage items we have been donated. In December 2019 the Museum was opened to the public.

Visitor numbers and turnover continue to increase, providing an important income for many island artists. The calibre of artwork as well as the developing Village have seen us become a must see destination on the Island. 

Work on the Gray House progresses (2015)

In 2017, the completed Gray House

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the drive, determination and vision of our trustees, artists and volunteers, or the financial support from our various funders. Thanks to you all Great Barrier Island has a Community Heritage and Arts Village to be extremely proud of!