Colour by Numbers NZ: Kits, Pricing and Everything You Need to Know

Colour by numbers is the New Zealand and British English term for paint by numbers. The kit, the process, and the finished result are identical.

Colour by numbers and paint by numbers are the same hobby, described two different ways. In New Zealand and the United Kingdom, "colour by numbers" is the more natural phrasing. In the United States and Australia, "paint by numbers" is standard. Retailers like Lincraft NZ list them under the same category heading, "Paint/Colour By Number," because the product is identical. If you are looking for colour by numbers kits in New Zealand, this guide covers exactly what to expect, how to choose the right kit, and how to get one delivered to your address.

What Is Colour by Numbers

A colour by numbers kit arrives with a pre-printed canvas divided into numbered sections. Each number on the canvas corresponds to a numbered pot of acrylic paint. You match the number, fill in the section with the corresponding colour, and move to the next. No drawing skill is required, and no decisions about colour placement are needed, since the design has already been worked out for you.

A standard kit includes a linen blend canvas, a full set of numbered acrylic paint pots, and brushes. The canvas arrives rolled rather than stretched unless you select a framed option at checkout. The finished piece is a genuine acrylic painting on canvas, not a colouring book page, and the result is something you made with your hands that is worth framing and displaying.

The key difference between a quality colour by numbers kit and a cheap retail set is the colour count. A kit with 12 or 16 colours produces flat, cartoon-like results on any subject with nuance. A kit with 24, 36, or 48 colours can render gradients, shadows, and highlights that make the finished painting look like a real piece of art from across the room. Our canvas quality guide covers exactly what separates the two in practical terms.

Choosing the Right Kit

The colour count is the most important decision in any colour by numbers kit. It determines how much gradient and shadow the finished painting can show.

The right kit depends primarily on what you want to paint, not on your experience level. Here is how to match the colour count to the subject.

On size, the standard 40x50cm canvas is the right choice for most adult subjects. It is large enough to show real detail without taking months of sessions to finish. Custom colour by numbers kits are available in larger sizes up to 60x80cm if you want more canvas space or plan to display the finished piece prominently.

Custom Colour by Numbers from Your Own Photo

A custom colour by numbers kit converts any photo you upload into a numbered canvas, designed by a real artist. The subject could be your pet, a family portrait, a wedding photo, or a NZ landscape you photographed yourself. This is the same product as a custom paint by numbers kit, described in NZ English. Retail stores do not offer this option at any price. Custom kits start from $57 NZD and are available up to 60x80cm with 24, 36, or 48 colour options.

For full details on how the custom kit process works, including what makes a good photo upload and how to choose the right size and colour count for your subject, our custom paint by numbers NZ guide covers the full process.

Pricing in NZD

Standard colour by numbers kits start from $49 NZD for the 40x50cm size without a frame. Every order includes buy 2 get 1 free site-wide with no code required.

All prices in NZD, shown automatically when visiting from New Zealand. Kids kits start from $33 NZD. Custom kits from $57 NZD.

Delivery to New Zealand

Common Questions

About the Author

William Murdock is the Founder of Paint On Numbers. He built the NZ guide series to help New Zealand buyers find the right kit regardless of which term they use to search for it.