City of Makers: Inside Wellington's Creative Culture

How and when did the business begin?

Apache first opened in its original location on Wakefield Street in 2014. After cutting my teeth in Wellington for many years, I was eager to create a restaurant that I saw many others striving for but not quite achieving, a relaxed but highly organised and professional environment that would deliver communal style bowls of food packed with punchy flavours and vibrant colours that could cater to all.

Tell us a little about what you do and the service you provide.

The service here is friendly and maybe even a touch playful, but professional. Our staff here work with the customers in helping them organise banquet-style food delivered to the table. We're accommodating, approachable, and helpful beyond reproach, and trained to go the extra mile to ensure that all customers are satisfied.

How do you define your style?

‘Lively’ might be the right word here. We always aim to strike that fine balance between fun and serious, people are coming here for a good time and to enjoy great food and company, and we aim to reflect that. We're adaptable and flexible, which I think is something that's needed in the modern dining scene, and our servers match the atmosphere that our new location provides. Our focus has always been professionalism in a lively environment, and where every table can feel like a little mini party. I think it's to the benefit of the customer that we strive to match that energy.

What is it about Wellington's creative fabric that shapes the style of your work?

Wellingtonians and the city itself have always been an inspiration, both in helping mold the service that we provide to the way food is delivered to the table. We're a friendly and eclectic group of people sharing this city and we express ourselves, from the murals decorated around the city to the friendly nature of the locals. I like to think that we've taken some of that and allowed it to inspire us in how we've decorated our new home.

How has Wellington's collaborative spirit influenced your work?

Wellington is a very small city, as you know, and everyone either knows everyone or is separated by only one degree. Some secrets we share, and some we don't. But we're always being inspired by our friends, whether it be bold new flavours or local breweries and distilleries collaborating with exciting new products. With every new idea we're reminded of what the creativity of this city can produce, and we're humbled to be a part of it and help put our little stamp on things.

Where do you seek inspiration in the city?

Everywhere! Whether it be popping in for a coffee, lunch or dinner with our neighbours, or even just walking the streets. I’m constantly being bombarded with influences. You don't have to walk far in Wellington to be inspired.

How and when did the business begin?

After training as an artist and completing my Master of Fine Arts, I worked across galleries and arts administration, then opened the gallery in 2018. I wanted to build a space that actively supported emerging artists, contributed something fresh to Wellington’s dealer scene, and gave me the autonomy to shape a programme that felt relevant and ambitious.

Tell us a little about what you do and the service you provide.

I work closely with a diverse group of contemporary artists from across Aotearoa, many of them early in their careers. The gallery runs a regular exhibition programme, takes part in art fairs, and fosters long-term relationships with artists, helping connect their work with collectors, curators, institutions, and the wider public. Supporting artists in sustainable, meaningful ways is central to what we do.

How do you define your style?

The gallery presents a curious, bold, and concept-driven programme. I’m drawn to artists whose work is materially rich, intellectually rigorous, and engaged with the complexities of the world we live in.

What is it about Wellington’s creative fabric that shapes the style of your work?

Wellington punches above its weight creatively and in almost every other way. The city’s scale and intimacy encourage connection and collaboration across disciplines. Within a short walk of the gallery, you’ll find several other public and dealer galleries, cult local fashion labels like Yu Mei, JPalm, and Jimmy D; the iconic Unity Books; and venues like the Opera House and St James. That proximity to design, literature, music, theatre, and fashion feeds directly into the gallery’s energy and outlook.

How has Wellington’s collaborative spirit influenced your work?

From day one, I was supported and mentored by other curators, gallerists, and institutions. That spirit of collaboration continues to shape how I work and who I work with. I’ve partnered with other galleries on city-wide events celebrating practices like ceramics and portraiture, and often work across disciplines to expand how we engage with audiences. Collaboration is part of the culture here, and one of the things that makes this city special.

Where do you seek inspiration in the city?

Wellington is full of creatives, curators, artists, writers, and deeply committed supporters of the arts, as well as people passionate about the environment, politics, and community. It’s a city of engaged, curious minds. I start my days grounded by my young family and the wild beauty of the South Coast, where I live, its rugged shorelines and ever-changing skies offer a daily sense of perspective. I find inspiration in conversations with visitors and supporters of the gallery, in chats with others in the building; Cheshire Architects, Grafik, and Profile Photos, and most of all, in the work and discussions I have with the artists I represent.

How and when did the business begin?

After spending over a decade tattooing in a variety of studios across the world, I felt it was time to create something truly my own, a space that reflects the journey I’ve taken and the knowledge I’ve gathered along the way. In late 2023, I opened my studio, shaped by the cultural influences, lessons, and experiences I’ve accumulated over the years. It’s more than just a shop, it’s a space where my personal style and ethos as an artist can fully exist and evolve.

Tell us a little about what you do and the service you provide.

I offer tattoos that are designed to make people feel good in their own skin, something meaningful they carry with them for life. Whether it’s a confidence boost, a deeply personal symbol, or just something that brings joy, I aim to create art that connects on a human level. My goal is for every client to walk away not just with ink, but with a sense of pride and empowerment.

How do you define your style?

My preferred style is large-scale Japanese and American contemporary, especially pieces that flow with the body and tell a visual story. That said, I also thrive on custom work; bringing someone’s personal idea to life is one of the most rewarding aspects of what I do. It’s a collaborative process that keeps me creatively challenged and emotionally connected to my clients.

What is it about Wellington’s creative fabric that shapes the style of your work?

Wellington offers this rare harmony between the energy of city life and the calm of nature. That duality constantly feeds my creativity. On one side, the urban environment keeps me sharp and exposed to modern culture. On the other, the surrounding landscapes give me space to breathe and reflect, both are essential to staying inspired and resilient as an artist.

How has Wellington’s collaborative spirit influenced your work?

The art scene in Wellington is incredibly dynamic and full of talent. It’s both inspiring and humbling. Being surrounded by such a creative and competitive community pushes me to stay disciplined, keep learning, and always level up my craft. There’s a kind of healthy pressure here that fuels growth if you embrace it.

Where do you seek inspiration in the city?

I draw a lot of inspiration from Wellington’s youth culture, nightlife, and street energy. There’s a raw, unfiltered creativity that comes alive after dark, in fashion, music, and conversations. Those moments of expression and rebellion really resonate with me as an artist. They remind me to keep my work fresh, real, and connected to the pulse of the present.

How and when did the business begin?

We started twenty-seven names out of the living room of our flat in Wellington in 2006. We had just finished studying Fashion Design (Anj) and Fine Art (Rachel), and we got straight into the business. We were babies, just 21 and 22 years old.

Tell us a little about what you do and the service you provide.

We are a womenswear brand, completely New Zealand-owned, run by best friends, and we are committed to making in New Zealand. We custom-design our prints, design and shoot our collections, and cut and make our production in Wellington and Auckland. We concentrate on using natural fibres and working sustainably to create quality garments that last.

How do you define your style?

We love colour, and our prints, which we design with collaborator Lily Paris West, are a core part of the collection. We are always looking for ways to make clothes we love that make women feel their best, while also making good choices about their environmental impact, and supporting the New Zealand fashion industry. It takes a village, so there are many hands which our garments pass through in the process of creation, and we support the livelihoods of each of these individuals.

What is it about Wellington's creative fabric that shapes the style of your work?

We have always loved living and working in Wellington. We both grew up here, and now our families are benefiting from being in such a beautiful and supportive community. Our Wellington-based customers are an absolute dream, and their continued support and love; we couldn’t be more grateful for.

The creative business community here is so supportive too, we love our location on Ghuznee Street, we literally couldn’t be luckier with the neighbours and friends we have here.

How has Wellington's collaborative spirit influenced your work?

We have been so lucky to work creatively with talented locals, aforementioned Lily Paris West, but also photographer and stylist Chloe Hill, hair stylist and makeup artist Amy McLennan, hair stylist Emily Natoli, and of course our twenty-seven names team here, Willow Henderson and Alice Whitta. We couldn’t do what we do without their talent and collaboration, and we love every one of them.

Where do you seek inspiration in the city?

Personally, we both love being outdoors, walking up Mt Victoria, running around the South Coast or Oriental Bay. I (Rachel) love the access we have to the waterfront and the freshness of the air. Creatively, there are so many locations for shooting campaigns: the botanical gardens, parks, sports centres, beaches, and the city streets. Wellington is such a beautiful and compact city, we have it all at our feet.