THE FAIR
Aotearoa Art Fair stands as New Zealand’s premier art fair, bringing together an exceptional range of practices from emerging voices to established artists, connecting them with collectors, curators, museum directors, and art enthusiasts from across Aotearoa and Australia.
Set in Auckland, the country’s financial centre, known for its major public institutions, leading galleries, and independent art spaces – the Fair takes place at the Viaduct Events Centre, a premier waterfront venue. More than 50 galleries and over 200 artists are represented, offering visitors a dynamic view of the most compelling modern and contemporary art from the region.
Now under the ownership of the organisers of international art fairs: Sydney Contemporary, Art SG, Taipei Dangdai, and Tokyo Gendai, the Fair organisers leverage international expertise and their vast network of connections.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector, occasional buyer, or just curious about art, this is your opportunity to browse and buy from hundreds of works. From painting to sculpture, print to ceramics, there’s something for everyone at the Aotearoa Art Fair.
THE TEAM
Tim Etchells—
Owner
Tim Etchells has spent the last 30 years creating and managing Events and Fairs all over the world. From The Good Food Shows to London Fashion Week to Art HK, Tim has worked in numerous different industry sectors across different countries. In 2008 Tim developed the idea to stage Art HK which became the largest art fair in Asia, and is now under the ownership of MCH and renamed Art Basel Hong Kong. In 2013, Tim launched Sydney Contemporary. Tim’s art fair portfolio includes ART SG (Singapore), Taipei Dangdai (Taiwan) and Art Central (Hong Kong). In 2016 Tim received two separate Lifetime Achievement Awards from the UK Exhibition industry.
Jo Duncan—
CEO
Jo Duncan brings extensive experience to Aotearoa Art Fair from launching and working across a range of high-profile consumer events. Jo helped to successfully launch a range of events in new markets globally including the Good Food and Wine shows nationally across Australia and has worked on a range of other events across Australia, the UK and Asia including Sydney Contemporary, London Fashion Week, Melbourne Art Fair, Fashion Week Sydney, Taste of Sydney and Melbourne, the Affordable Art Fairs and Better Homes and Gardens Live. Jo oversees all operational, marketing and gallery needs for Aotearoa Art Fair.
Lyn Moran—
Finance Director
Lyn Moran joined Aotearoa Art Fair under the ownership of Art Fairs NZ. After graduating from the University of Georgia (USA), she spent 7 years traveling as Touring Company Manager for Australian children’s group, The Wiggles, before settling in Australia and working on the production side of several international TV programs, including The Amazing Race and The Real Housewives franchises, as well as on live events with IMG Australia and Single Market Events. Overseeing Sydney Contemporary as General Manager from 2018-2022, Lyn has now relocated to the US where she continues to lead on all financial and business matters on Sydney Contemporary and Aotearoa Art Fair.
Sue Waymouth—
Fair Director
Sue has held senior marketing roles in New Zealand and overseas including New Zealand Funds Management, Chase Bank (UK) and Alvern Media (UK). For the last decade, she has run her own marketing consultancy and has focused on supporting the arts. She has held governance roles as a Trustee of The Michael Hill Violin Competition and is the Co-Chair of the Contemporary Benefactors, a philanthropic tier of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Alongside her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce from Otago, Sue has recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Arts at Auckland University.
Kate Gillespie—
VIP Relations Manager
Kate became the Talks Program Coordinator for Aotearoa Art Fair in 2024 and has since transitioned into the role of VIP Relations Manager. After earning a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Art History) from Otago University, Kate worked in investment banking and later as a buyer in the fashion industry. Over the past decade, she has managed her own property development and interior design business while also volunteering with the Red Cross on refugee resettlement. Additionally, Kate serves on the Contemporary Benefactors Advisory Committee, a philanthropic branch of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
Bonnie Lee—
Marketing Manager
Bonnie joined Aotearoa Art Fair in 2021 as Marketing Assistant and grew in her role as Marketing Manager in 2023. She concurrently works as the Marketing Executive for Sydney Contemporary and runs an online bookstore which aims to increase the visibility of arts publishing in New Zealand. Since completing her Fine Arts degree, Bonnie has held curatorial, administrative, and communication roles at various public galleries.
Lucy Armstrong—
Fair Coordinator
Lucy joins Aotearoa Art Fair following a career in marketing, events, and retail management with one of New Zealand’s leading beverage brands. She holds a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Photography, from Massey University, and previously ran her own freelance photography business, working with a diverse range of public and private clients. Lucy has held various sales and administrative roles across the hospitality and events industries. Passionate about connecting people through art and culture, she brings a dynamic blend of creative and commercial experience to the Aotearoa Art Fair team.
Leanne Olsen—
Operations Manager
Leanne has over 12 years of experience delivering large-scale events worldwide. She has held key roles at XPO Exhibitions, The University of Auckland, Gymnastics New Zealand, and The Taylor Group, managing everything from trade shows to national sporting events. Originally from Massachusetts, her love for art was sparked while living in Paris. Leanne thrives in high-energy, collaborative environments where precision and creativity bring events to life. Outside work, she’s deeply involved in gymnastics – coaching and creating choreography, a passion that continues to inspire her creativity and love of movement.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Natasha Conland–
Senior Curator, Auckland Art Gallery
Natasha has over nineteen years’ experience developing exhibitions of contemporary art. She writes for a number of contemporary arts journals and catalogues in the Asia Pacific region and co-edits Reading Room, a peer-reviewed journal of contemporary art published annually by the E.H. McCormick Research Library, Auckland Art Gallery. She has diverse interests which have focused over this period on art in public space and the dissemination of the historic avant-garde.
Kate Darrow–
Curator, Public Art Projects
Kate is the Curator and Collection Manager at Waikato Hospital Art Trust, a position she has held since 2021. With over two decades of experience as an Independent Curator and Art Consultant, Kate has worked on numerous public art projects and for private clients. Early in her career, Kate held senior roles in the public art gallery sector, including Lopdell House Gallery, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki and City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi. Kate is passionate about promoting contemporary art that connects with and inspires diverse audiences.
Kim Paton–
Director, Objectspace
Kim Paton has been the Director of Objectspace since 2015. Her interest is in interdisciplinary exhibition making across the fields of craft, design, architecture and contemporary art. Paton has curated and written extensively on object-based art forms including the 2023 exhibition The Chair: A story of design and making in Aotearoa. Recent writing includes essays for Cheryl Lucas: Shaped by Schist and Scoria (Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, 2022) and David Straight: Locations of Interest (Objectspace, 2023). Paton is co-author up the upcoming book Hook Hand Heart Star: Warwick Freeman published by arnoldsche Art Publishers (2025).
Caroline Vercoe–
Associate Professor of Art History, Associate Dean Pacific, Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland
Associate Professor Caroline Vercoe (Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand) teaches Global Art Histories, Pacific Art Histories, and Contemporary Art in Aotearoa New Zealand at Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland. She specialises in contemporary Pacific art and performance art, with a particular interest in issues of race, gender and representation, and has been teaching, curating and researching in these areas for thirty years.