Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki Museum

Address: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Cnr Wellesley & Kitchener Streets, Auckland CBD, New Zealand

Website: https://www.aucklandartgallery.com

Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm; Wed open late (varies)

Admission: General admission to permanent collection: free; special exhibitions ticketed (varies)

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the principal public art institution in Auckland and the largest art museum in New Zealand, with extensive collections of New Zealand, Pacific and international art. It functions as a civic gallery and major exhibition venue.

The gallery’s displays span historic and contemporary works across painting, sculpture, photography and new media; temporary exhibitions bring international loans and thematic shows to the galleries. Public programmes include talks, school education and events.

The institution traces its origins to the late 19th century and its current premises were substantially expanded in a high-profile redevelopment completed in 2011, increasing gallery and public spaces. It remains a central cultural venue in Auckland.

The gallery is located in Auckland’s central city near Albert Park and Queen Street, within the central business district.

• Collection size and scope: Holds one of New Zealand’s largest public art collections, numbering in the tens of thousands of works and covering New Zealand, Pacific and international art.
• 2011 redevelopment: Underwent a major extension and redevelopment completed in 2011 that significantly increased gallery space and public facilities.

What to See#

• New Zealand galleries: Dedicated galleries for New Zealand art trace local developments from colonial-period painting to contemporary practice, forming a core focus of the collection.
• Pacific and Asian collections: Collections of Pacific and Asian art highlight works by Pacific Island and regional artists alongside international material in rotating displays.
• International collections and exhibitions: European, American and international collections present historical and modern works used in temporary and permanent exhibitions since the gallery’s redevelopment.

A short walk from Britomart Transport Centre or the Queen Street/High Street intersection. Several bus routes stop nearby; taxis and rideshares can be dropped off at the main forecourt on Wellesley Street.

• Head upstairs first to the 19th‑ and 20th‑century galleries for a quick cultural overview, then return to the ground floor for Māori and Pacific works.
• Visit on Wednesday evenings when the gallery stays open late and local visitors outnumber tourists.
• Check the gallery's changing exhibitions-Auckland's collection programming is one of the city's best cultural bets.