A visual feast of contemporary, coastal and quirky artwork — where discovering art is just as fun as taking it home.
Welcome to The Little Gallery, one of the Coromandel’s most loved contemporary art gallery experiences, showcasing an eclectic collection of original New Zealand artwork in both Tairua and Whangamatā. Since opening our first gallery in 2013, we’ve become known for vibrant, ever-changing spaces filled with artwork that surprises, inspires and sparks conversation — from contemporary paintings and sculpture to ceramics, weaving, prints and beautifully unexpected pieces.
The Little Gallery Whangamatā
Opened in 2017, our Whangamatā gallery offers a different energy — larger, light-filled and designed to showcase an impressive range of large-scale artwork and statement pieces. Located beside Chill Cafe in the heart of town, it’s the perfect place to browse while waiting for your coffee or lunch. With a fresh contemporary feel and new artworks arriving regularly, the Whangamatā gallery is a must-visit destination for art lovers looking for bold, inspiring New Zealand art by the beach.
The Little Gallery Tairua
Established in 2013, our Tairua gallery is full of charm, creativity and personality. Nestled beside the ever-popular Manaia Cafe & Bar, visitors can enjoy a coffee or bite to eat before wandering through the interconnecting door straight into the gallery. With its relaxed character-home feel, colourful rooms and sculpture-filled garden, the Tairua gallery invites you to slow down, explore and discover art around every corner. Our outdoor spaces feature an ever-changing collection of striking sculptures that make the experience just as memorable outside as it is indoors.
Meet The Little Gallery Team
Faye Saunders - The Boss Lady and Curator of Cool Artwork!
The Little Gallery is owned by Faye Saunders, who quite literally bought herself a job so she and her husband Craig could make the move to beautiful Whangamatā — and it turns out she absolutely loves what she does. With a passion for art, people and creating memorable experiences, Faye has built galleries that feel welcoming, vibrant and full of personality. Her energy is infectious, her enthusiasm hard to ignore, and she genuinely loves helping clients discover artwork that speaks to them. Known for having fun with visitors and curating an eclectic mix of contemporary, coastal and quirky pieces, Faye has created gallery spaces that are as much about the experience as the artwork itself.
Stephen Parsons — The Boss Lady's PA (apparently)
Stephen Parsons has quite literally changed Faye’s world. Originally a client of The Little Gallery, Stephen loved the galleries so much that when he moved to Tairua, he wandered in one day and asked Faye for a job — and thankfully for everyone involved, she said yes.
Self-appointed as Faye’s “PA”, Stephen is the man behind much of the gallery’s website magic, helping bring The Little Gallery’s personality to life online while somehow also keeping the Boss Lady organised. With an incredible knowledge of art, a sharp eye for detail and a healthy willingness to critique Faye’s latest curating decisions, Stephen has become an essential part of the gallery team.
When he’s not tweaking the website or talking art with clients, you’ll likely find him transforming the gallery gardens into works of art themselves. Equal parts creative assistant, tech support, art enthusiast and landscape wizard, Stephen brings humour, talent and calm to the beautiful chaos that is The Little Gallery. And he's not a fan of having his photo taken so this is all you get!
Deborah Forsman (Dee) – Art Matchmaker
If you’ve visited our Whangamata gallery, chances are you’ve met Dee — and remembered her.
Dee first opened this gallery back in the day when it was known as Harrisons, so you could say art galleries are part of her DNA. After selling the business and heading off on a few different adventures, Dee eventually found her way back home to Whiritoa… and thankfully back to us too.
Now Faye’s right-hand lady in the Whangamata gallery, Dee brings energy, laughter, incredible art knowledge and a genuine love of people to every day. She has a natural gift for connecting clients with artwork they truly love — and yes, she could probably sell ice to Eskimos.
Whether she’s helping someone choose their very first piece or catching up with long-time collectors, Dee makes everyone feel welcome the moment they walk through the door.
Mardi O’Shea – Glamour, Grammar & Artful Eyes
If elegance had a front desk, Mardi would be sitting behind it.
Known around Whangamata for her impeccable style, quick wit and unmistakable charm, Mardi brings warmth, laughter and plenty of sparkle to The Little Gallery. A talented artist and collector herself, she has a wonderful eye for art, an exceptional attention to detail and is a natural when it comes to curating the gallery spaces. She loves helping clients discover pieces that truly speak to them.
When she’s not volunteering in the gallery, you’ll likely find Mardi centre stage in a local production, where her theatrical flair and natural humour shine through unforgettable characters — including the legendary Mrs Slocombe.
Mardi also proudly holds the very important position of gallery proofreader. Spelling matters deeply to Mardi, and not much escapes her sharp eye… so if there’s a typo somewhere, chances are she’s already spotted it.