The Papamoa Kindergarten community is reeling from the success of their first Beachside Art Auction on Saturday which brought in more than $7000.

Big names such as Owen Dippie, Peter Cramond and Doreen McNeill were among many of those who donated art which went in the 40 piece collection.

One of the arts sold at Saturday night's auction.

Organiser Hayley Wain is pleased with outcome and says there was a great response, with about 230 turning up.

'Everyone said they had a great time.

'It was a good number, we filled the hall,” says Hayley.

She says 30 of the pieces were sold with McNeill's piece the highest seller at $1300.

Hayley heard of the idea from a friend who held an art auction in Taranaki who said they earned a lot of money.

'I thought rather than doing a raffle, which you don't really earn a lot of money from anyway, let's do something bigger and better,” she says.

Art pieces had a reserve price from the artist and anything above that went to the kindergarten.

Some of the proceeds from the event go towards running costs of the kindergarten such as cleaning and power.

Hayley says some of the money will also go toward educational equipment for the children and an outdoor pizza oven.

The event was planned since early March and Hayley hopes the committee can plan the event again.

The event was at Te Akau Ki Papamoa School's hall and also included music from a live jazz band which Hayley thought suited the event well.