In Memory of John Coley MBE
28 January 1935 – 17 March 2026
There are people who leave their mark on a place, not through buildings or monuments, but through the way they see it.
John Coley was one of those people.
A respected New Zealand artist, educator and gallery director, John made a lasting contribution to the arts in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through his work as an artist and his involvement in arts education and public galleries, he helped bring art into the lives of many.
Alongside his professional achievements, John also had a personal connection to Waikuku Beach, where his family had a bach on Pines Avenue.
The Village of Waikuku Beach — 2007
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In 2007, John created The Village of Waikuku Beach, a beautifully detailed illustration of our coastal community.
With its familiar streets, landmarks, coastline and handwritten observations, the drawing invites us to explore Waikuku Beach through an artist's eyes.
It is more than a map.
It is a record of the village at a particular moment in time, capturing the places and features that have helped shape its character.
For those who have known Waikuku Beach for many years, the illustration may bring back familiar places and memories. For others, it offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the village from a different perspective.
We are honoured to share John's artwork as the opening feature of Waikuku Beach Online's Past & Present Stories collection.
Our sincere thanks go to John’s wife, Fay, and their family for generously granting permission to reproduce this special piece.
As we begin gathering and sharing the stories of Waikuku Beach, it seems especially fitting that our first should recognise an artist who had a personal connection to our village and captured it with such care and detail.
In memory of John Coley, with gratitude for his contribution to New Zealand art and for this beautiful portrayal of Waikuku Beach.
Portrait source: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 licence. Display adapted.
