A US-based sand artist has transformed a Northland beach with the help of a local Maori artist.

San Francisco artist Andres Amador is in New Zealand working on his latest project called 'Capturing Impermanence' alongside Kiwi photographer Jonathan Clark, who is also based in San Francisco.

Amador has been creating spectacular sand drawings on beaches for the past 13 years.

The project saw the sands of Piapia Beach in Northland brought to life this week with a giant ta moko, designed by local Maori artist Lloyd Morgan.