Boon Arts

It’s no exaggeration to say that Boon has redefined Hamilton's urban aesthetics. Their annual street art festival has been breathing life into the streets of Kirikiriroa since 2015. You can still find their early murals hidden down curious little laneways around the inner city, but recent years have seen them commissioning both local and international artists to take over iconic hero walls across the city. 

‘Art everywhere, everyday’ is Boon’s vision in a nutshell. The crew at Boon are big fans of public art and what it can do for the people who live and work in that area. In addition to the annual Street Art Festival, they also host a variety of community-driven events like Street Art Walking Tours, a Boon Sculpture Trail (2024), and an annual mid-winter festival, Boon After Dark. 

Central to Boon’s ethos is taking great care of their artists, making sure they are recognised and respected for the work they do and the positive way it contributes to the lives of those who get to enjoy it. As such, the annual festival has attracted many notable artists, the likes of Techs & Hine+, T Wei, Askew One, Ten Hundred from Seattle, and Japan’s KORYU. 

In line with their aspiration to lift the artistic eco system, Boon takes pride in supporting multi-disciplinary artists, like well-respected toi whakairo artist Daniel Ormsby, to diversify into mural-making. They also offer a mural commission service that helps to connect talented artists with local business owners who want their space to become part of the living, breathing gallery that is Kirikiriroa Hamilton. 

It’s not only city streets that get the royal treatment. Their ‘Boon On Campus’ project has brought fresh life and vibrant colour to The University of Waikato’s Hamilton Campus with a diverse collection of murals from celebrated artists. Through every mural, event, and collaboration, Boon continues its mission to celebrate both art and community, forever changing the face of Kirikiriroa one brushstroke at a time.