Charitble Support

Supporting local causes is as much about being a good corporate citizen as it is about contributing to the arts, design, and material culture ecology that supports us and helps us thrive in Aotearoa

Culture, creativity and philanthropy go hand in hand and, since its inception, Webb’s has and continues to celebrate and support that relationship through: Strategic partnerships, pro-bono auctions, charity events and exhibitions, advice and more to a myriad of organisations and individuals across New Zealand

From supporting writers, designers and photographers via the production of extensive, industry-defining print catalogues; through to organising and running complex online and live auctions to raise funds for non-for-profit organisations: Our team is always cognisant of the symbiotic relationship between arts patronage and a thriving secondary market.

The initiatives listed below are as much about being a good corporate citizen as they are about contributing to the cultural ecology that supports us and helps us thrive in Aotearoa, while also trying to do our bit to promote the artistic, design, and material culture that reflects our diverse communities’ uniqueness and our identity within the Pacific and the world.

Some of our philanthropic initiatives have included:

  • Te Papa Foundation Spring Soiree

    Te Papa Foundation Spring Soiree

    Online Auction | 22.08.24—10.09.24

    Webb’s proudly hosted a digital auction in support of Te Papa. All items were generously donated and proceeds helped fund world-class research, preservation of the national collection, and programmes that improve access to Te Papa for all New Zealanders. Learn more about the Te Papa Foundation

  • New Winds: Te Uru Art Auction Fundraiser

    Online & Live Auction | 03.03.24

    West Auckland’s public art gallery Te Uru was raising much needed funds to support a promising roster of artists and the development of ambitious new projects. Webb’s conducted an Online and Live auction (in Te Uru’s Mitchell & Stout Architects-designed gallery) of investment-worthy artworks that directly assisted these endeavours. The auction— which included pieces by artists like Ayesha Green, Andy Leleisi’uao, Elizabeth Thomson, Gordon Walters, Ans Westra, Kushana Bush, Gretchen Albrecht, Don Binney, and many more— raised close to $100,000 for the beloved institution. Learn more about Te Uru

  • IHC Art Awards Charity Auction

    Exhibition & Live Auction | 2022-Ongoing
    Webb’s Wellington Gallery, 25.07.25 — 13.08.25

    Since 2022 Webb's has regularly hosted the IHC Art Awards Charity Auction with all proceeds going towards assisting the IHC great work in supporting New Zealand artists living with disabilities, by giving them an opportunity to have their talent recognised and their voices heard. In the past works have been generously donated by top local and international artists such as Joanna Braithwaite, Dick Frizzell, Tame Iti, Gregor Kregar, Karl Maughan, David Shrigley and others. Learn more about the work of the IHC Awards

  • QEII National Trust

    Online Auctions | 2025

    Over 100 watches from a single-owner collection are being sold to benefit the QEII National Trust, which protects ecologically and culturally significant land across New Zealand. Proceeds support this conservation work. The collection, worth over $160,000, includes valuable pieces featured in various Webb’s sales throughout mid 2025. Learn more about the QEII Trust

  • Eden Arts Art Schools Award

    Annual Live Exhibition | 2019—ongoing

    Webb’s hosts the annual Eden Arts Art Schools Award exhibition by Eden Arts, a charitable arts trust formed over 30 years ago with the purpose of supporting the arts in the greater Mount Eden area. It presents the very best undergraduate student works from each of Elam School of Fine Arts, Unitec, AUT and Whitecliffe in a single exhibition. The twenty selected finalists present work in a group exhibition and artists’ talk at Webb’s gallery.  Learn more about this award

  • NZSO Charity Auction

    Online Auction | 28.03.24

    Webb’s conducted the highly successful New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) Charity Auction in which $47,871.70 were raised from the sale of objects, luxury travel, culinary and musical experiences. The entirety of the proceeds from this sale (including buyers’ premium fees) were donated to the iconic organisation toward their instrument procurement fund for their winds and percussion sections. Click here to support the NZSO

  • Colin McCahon Legacy Project

    Online Sale | 2025

    Due in part to Webb’s long, historical association with seminal New Zealand artist Colin McCahon, the auction house partnered with the official organisation tasked with promoting knowledge of, and research into his art (The McCahon Trust). By selling limited-edition reproductions of one of his artworks, the Trust and Webb’s sought to support the Colin McCahon Legacy Project: an interactive digital platform that will showcase the artist’s remarkable life and works. Learn more about this project

  • 10x10 Charity Auction

    Live Auction | 28 June, 2023

    10x10 Philanthropy, a charitable organisation running Dragon's Den-inspired events to support grassroots organisations, sought Webb’s to hold event and live auction of travel experiences, guest speakers and more to raise funds for three local charities. This auction benefited the amazing endeavours of: For The Love of Bees (who sought to create regenerative urban farms and communities to support bee populations and ecological sustainability); OutLine Aotearoa (mental health support and advocacy for Aotearoa’s LGBTQIA+ communities), and The Lucy Foundation (promoting inclusive and sustainable trade by empowering disabled people through ethical supply chains in the coffee production). Learn more about 10 X 10 Philanthropy

  • Art for the Stars Charity Auction

    10.08.23— 14.08.23

    A special charity auction of contemporary Chinese art, with a portion of proceeds going to the Starship Foundation. The demand for Asian art in New Zealand has grown dramatically in the last years, and Art for the Stars presented a great opportunity for collectors— with stunning artworks in a number of mediums, including delicate watercolours, cast copper sculptures, and intricate oils by Bangzhen Deng— while supporting Auckland foremost children’s public hospital. Learn more about the Starship Foundation

  • The Arts Foundation

    Award Sponsorship | 2007

    In 2007 Webb’s was the sponsor of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Award for Patronage. The award was set up to honour a philanthropist for their generous support of the arts. "As a company with an in-depth understanding of the quality of New Zealand art, the Arts Foundation is proud to be associated with Webb's," said Ros Burdon, then Chairman of the Arts Foundation, "we are grateful for Webb's generous support of the Arts Foundation and their contribution to recognising our leading arts patrons." Learn more about the Arts Foundation