Back for its 16th year, Graffiato: Taupō Street Art Festival will once again invade Taupō’s CBD with creativity and colour as street artists from around the world take to the town centre from October 24-26.
For the first time in its history, this vibrant annual event will see every artist complete their mural within the same laneway, maximising their impact.
This year will feature 11 artists, including two internationals, two emerging locals and seven artists from around New Zealand whose backgrounds span the globe.
The artists will transform this single laneway into a living canvas, showcasing live the effort and skill that is required to paint at scale. With 10 murals being painted over this coming Labour Weekend, Taupō’s 85 plus existing works will be joined by several more.
Town Centre Taupō general manager, Julie McLeod, says Graffiato 2026 will provide greater viewing opportunities with all artists working in the same laneway.
“We are hoping this creates a real community vibe, allowing people to linger longer and watch several artists from a single point. Come for the art, pull up a chair and stay for the painting education and great banter.”
Sean Duffell, who made his debut as artistic director in 2025, is back, bringing his trademark passion to a festival he knows well. He had a big hand in ensuring last year’s event was a success, undercoating walls, painting his own mural, filling in square metre after square metre of blank space in the Nukuhau underpass and bringing positivity to everyone’s event experience.
The original idea behind the festival back in 2011 was to reduce tagging; it has morphed into New Zealand’s largest collection of street art and a living outdoor canvas.
“It’s amazing to see the local community, and Taupō visitors take advantage of this incredible opportunity to watch and engage with the creation of transformative works of art,” Duffell says.
One of Duffell’s own murals from Graffiato past will be in view, as visiting Aussie, Stephanie Cartledge, puts her own stamp on the same large wall Duffell’s work still occupies.
This year’s festival will include only two past Graffiato artists: Cinzah and Gina Kiel, with all of the others being given their first crack at painting in Taupō.
Some of the well-known newcomers from around New Zealand include Preehya, Theo Arraj and Faye Suzannah. They will be joined by Bean Wang and Razor Taser Laser.
The local debutants, who both volunteered at Graffiato in 2025, include Taupo-nui-a-Tia College student Taylor Tefono and geothermal scientist and art enthusiast Magili Moreau. The talent of both Taupō artists was showcased when they expertly painted several of Town Centre Taupō’s famous Christmas trees last year.
Because all of the artists will be painting in the same laneway, there is greater opportunity to make the event a street festival. There will be booths setup for artists to sell prints and plenty of opportunity to bring down a camp chair, park up for a while and watch the art unfold.
“There’s always an awesome atmosphere around the town centre during Graffiato festival weekend – but this year will be even better with all of us in one place. As organisers, it’ll also make running the event a whole lot simpler than it has ever been!” McLeod said.
This free, family-friendly festival will run from 8am on Saturday of Labour weekend until artists wrap up their sites late Monday afternoon. The entire community is invited to engage with the arts during what will be a fabulous three-day weekend.
2026 Graffiato Festival Artists
• Bean Wang
• Codo – Christopher McGuiggan – Bangor, Northern Ireland
• Cinzah – Cinzah Kelly Merkens
• Faye Suzannah – Faye Suzannah Chadburn
• Gina Kiel
• Magili Moreau – Local Artist
• Preehya
• Razor Taser Laser – Simon - Rotorua
• Stephanie Cartledge – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Taylor Tefono – Local Artist
• Theo Arraj
