Creativity in the central city
More than 180 makers and creatives from across Aotearoa will gather in central Christchurch for the inaugural Ōtautahi Made Winter Market – transforming the city’s convention centre, Te Pae, into a creative showcase.
On 21 June, the market will bring together jewellers, ceramicists, florists, illustrators, woodworkers, textile artists, skincare brands, slow fashion labels, gourmet food producers, and emerging youth makers for a one-day curated market experience unlike the traditional weekend market format many have come to expect.
For the team behind the event, Kelly Roberts, Laura Hay, and CJ Tomlins, the vision was always about creating something more intentional.
“We started feeling like a lot of markets were becoming overcrowded with imported or mass-produced products, and the original reason people loved markets – meeting local makers and discovering something unique – was starting to get lost,” CJ says.
Instead, Ōtautahi Made has been designed to place the spotlight firmly back on the Kiwis behind the products – their stories, craftsmanship, and creative process. They were inspired by curated market experiences in Sydney and Melbourne, with the event aiming to create a distinctly Christchurch version that reflects the city’s growing creative culture.
Holding the event at a new, state-of-the-art venue, CJ is excited to bring a new offering to the space. “There’s something really special about bringing a large-scale local maker event into one of Christchurch’s premier venues,” they say. “A lot of people have admired Te Pae from the outside but never had the opportunity to step inside.”
Kelly believes markets offer a true connection to the maker. “When you meet the person who designed, poured, carved, painted, or created something, it changes the way you value it,” Kelly says. “People are craving authenticity again.”
The market will also include both a VIP Hour and a dedicated Sensory Hour, offering quieter, lower-stimulation ways for visitors to experience the event. Accessibility and inclusivity, organisers say, are central to the future of Ōtautahi Made.
Ultimately, though, the event is about more than shopping.
“Yes, it’s about supporting local,” Laura says, “but it’s also about celebrating creativity, supporting small businesses, and creating opportunities for the next generation of makers and creatives.”