Auckland Council website.
This website has changed
This is the former Auckland City Council website, which has some of the information and services you need if you live or do business in the area. Go to the main Auckland Council website to access the complete range of council services.
Skip navigation

Auckland Art Gallery

Project snapshot

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is undergoing major restoration and expansion work, which will transform the building into a world-class cultural facility.

The Art Gallery 1884. Artist impression of the Art Gallery in 2011.
The Art Gallery in 1884. Artist impression of the Art Gallery in 2011.

In mid 2011 Aucklanders and visitors alike will experience New Zealand's largest art collection in a gallery that will have:

  • undergone heritage restoration as well as strengthening, expansion and modernisation
  • 50 per cent more space for the collections and exhibitions
  • improved lighting and sound
  • a more environmentally-friendly design
  • dedicated teaching areas for students and family-friendly interactive spaces
  • a unique Maori design dimension visible throughout the building
  • a landscaped pedestrian link between Kitchener Street and Albert Park
  • an expanded shop, cafés on the terraces and purpose-designed function facilities.

The council's contractor Hawkins Construction Ltd is working hard to minimise disruption as much as possible during the work. The site is contained by hoardings, with clear signage for pedestrians making their way around the area.

Kitchener Street has been changed to one lane of traffic directly outside the gallery building to allow a loading zone for construction vehicles.

For the latest news on the redevelopment read the gallery blog.

Still open for business

The Auckland Art Gallery continues to run an exciting line-up of exhibitions and education and public programmes at the gallery on the corner of Lorne Street and Wellesley Street, just across the road from the development.

To find out what’s on show and what’s coming up visit the Auckland Art Gallery website.

There are also a number of privately owned galleries in the area, particularly along Kitchener and Lorne Streets, which offer people the opportunity to view and experience art.

Funding

The Auckland Art Gallery redevelopment is the result of a three-way funding partnership between the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation, central government and Auckland City Council.

The total cost of the project is $121 million. Of this, Auckland City Council has committed $56.1 million. The balance comes from a central government commitment of $30 million (plus an additional $1.5 million in interest on this sum), and from the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation who have committed to raising $33.4 million.

The Auckland Art Gallery Foundation (AAGF)

The AAGF was established as an independent charitable trust in February 2005 to the support the gallery in raising funds for its major building development project.

To date AAGF have achieved 53 per cent of their $33.4 million funding target, driven by their passion to create a unique and engaging destination not just for Auckland, but for New Zealand.

The foundation has reached out into the community, sourcing funds from private individuals, family trusts, corporate bodies and community funding agencies like the ASB Community Trust, the largest non-council, non-government funder to date.

Project partners

Auckland based architects Archimedia and Sydney's Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) have joined forces with Auckland City Council to design one of the largest projects of its kind in New Zealand. Archimedia and FJMT have already partnered on The University of Auckland's landmark new business school and they also have an enviable track record of sprucing up heritage sensitive buildings.

More information about the architects:

Have your say

Do you have any queries about this project or would you just like to give us feedback on the redevelopment? Simply drop us a note at gallery@aucklandartgallery.govt.nz