Reviews of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. (Museum) in Auckland (Auckland).

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

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385 Comments

Museum

Art gallery

Wellesley Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

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Information of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Museum in Auckland (Auckland)

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Reviews of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

C.

This is a most wonderful destination. I have come to the Auckland Art Gallery to get away from the pollution of reality and to let art wash away all negativity. The exhibitions are diverse. Afterward sit at the Cafe - they serve up a fine selection of wine and great conversations on the verandah... and finally head to their gift shop - it is all reasons and all seasons to get something special. You can't say you've seen Auckland without seeing The Auckland Art Gallery.

W.

It’s an oasis to relax inside especially with all the building work that is happening in Auckland CBD right now! Love the Mary Quant exhibition, so surprised to see all those beautiful dolls were once made in Hong Kong 🇭🇰 (a rarity nowadays) The cafe is a nice stopover before heading to the gift shop, quality products stocked. Have a wonderful afternoon during my visit early January!!

J.

Thrilling to see this amazing exhibition here. Great layout, plenty of variety in styles & informative multimedia. (Exciting even if you didn't live/flaunt during those heady 60s times!) Felt safe during covid as well spaced with positive vibes. GO!

M.

Cute place, lots of things on display! I love the diversity in the art. Good place to visit 💜

J.

I absolutely loved the Mary Quant exhibition. It was brilliant. Auckland Art Gallery is clean and there are loads of friendly staff to chat to about the work on show and to help if you take a wrong detour or two. Like I did! All the art work and the two installations I saw were well worth a look too. It's a terrific way to spend a few hours in this amazing City.

M.

A must see in Auckland. The team are so friendly. Make sure you visit the shop before leaving - The team is so passionate and knowledgeable and I was delighted to discover how much of the products on offer were from Kiwi artists and super impressed at how they commission unique art and gifts to align with the gallery exhibitions and displays. (The current Mary Quant exhibition has awesome pottery inspired by her designs!)

A.

Didnt go for Qwant, am saving that for more time. Found the clowns, that aren't mimes, or are they? Dying to know if gallery staff move them around every time no punters are in.

G.

We always enjoy our time here and make a day of it. There's no rush and you can take your time and really experience what's on offer or just sit and absorb your surroundings. With an easy layout its easy to get around and there are normally plenty of friendly people who can help you out if needed. Recommended!

V.

One of the best art museums anywhere in the world. The most memorable exhibit for me is the gallery focused on beautiful modern design. It evokes a sense of the pinnacle of minimalism as a lover of modern architecture and design. The other exhibits were just as fantastic with pieces from a wide range of local and internationally recognized artists. The museum and special exhibits are even available for FREE for locals and foreign visitors alike during Auckland Anniversary Day. Staff are all super friendly and willing to help at every corner.

A.

Very nice art gallery. I went there last weekend and saw a lovely show with contemporary and historical paintings and sculpture from Maori and European artists. I particularly liked the cubist still lifes which included Saskia Leek's painting. They are like little gemstones with their glowing colours and hard edges, looking through special glasses

S.

Very interesting Mary Quant special exhibition.

A.

Lovely art gallery in the center of Auckland. I was a little sad they didn’t have everything open, so many exhibits were closed down. However the open areas were wonderful. Nice cafe and outdoor areas. Gift shop also nice.

S.

The Auckland art gallery is an absolute must see if the city. Home to works of art from all around Aotearoa - New Zealand. The gallery is arranged over three levels and has a cafe in the middle. Story telling through art is a main theme and gives the viewer a sense of New Zealand culture both indigenous and colonial a visit to the Auckland art Gallery is a must you will not be disappointed.

G.

Gorgeous exhibits and I loved the displays of Maori art. Would definitely go again as theres so much to see!

M.

Always love going here. The contemporary Maori art exhibit was sublime. A multisensory experience.

W.

The Auckland Art gallery is full of different exhibitions every time I visit. You can check on their website what’s on show to see if it’s to your taste. The building and facilities are beautiful in themselves. Free entry. About an hour to walk around, worth a visit when in the city.

K.

Thanks for uplifting or should I say maintaining the Auckland's standards. It's one of the best places I visited when I was just an NZ tourist. The exterior building structure is remarkable & the interior looks luxurious.

B.

Mary Quant exhibition is well worth visiting. Incredible - especially as a teenager in the 1960s - Butterick and Vogue dress patterns that my lovely late Mum made up for me. A-line mini dresses. Height of fashion!

E.

Absolutely so cool!Highly recommended for everyone that wants to learn and appreciate Maaori culture, paintings were cool,every artwork was just amazing.Would have appreciated being told to leave my backpack at the reception before entering the te Po space-hei aha,toilets clean and tidy,not sure about wheel chair access but does have lifts so yeh.

J.

What a gallery! I loved the architectural ceiling and the colors and molding in each room had great character. It was so refreshing to see a museum with such a dedication to promotion NZ artists. And the Guerilla Girls exhibit was epic!

E.

This quiet and relaxing place is definitely worth a visit. The museum presents some very interesting pieces of art from New Zealand and abroad... Ancient, modern and contemporary pieces. The Maori's portraits are quite impressive and fascinating. The only downside is the entry fee for foreign visitors.

O.

Amazing art, highly recommended

G.

one of my favorite spots in Auckland, and this balcony on top floor always my must go everytime when I go. Staffs are very nice and helpful for directing me the right way to each hall when I getting lost.

A.

Loved the gallery. The architecture and design is so modern and beautiful. The best part of the gallery is it has old paintings which are century olds and modern art too. I loved the room 2002... the presentation that had Japanese art. It was fun and interactive and the best part was it was made by all the people who visited the so far. All the objects are real and you can play a Piano which is kept their. A must visit place. You can enjoy mojo cafe on Level 2 to relax and unwind and enjoy some drinks and snacks.

L.

I loved it. The place was just so inspiring. It's a nice place to unwind and relax. The area is well kept. There were no bits of trash anywhere. Even the toilets were super clean. Also, the staff are really nice and helpful. I really enjoyed their obliteration room as well! It was so full of colour and life! It was very interactive (Also, really nice to have the kids with you. It gives them something to do).

n.

Great space and cafe. I always feel a tad underwhelmed by exhibitions here as I'm used to European exhibitions. However very pleasant and well worth a look at what's going on. We went to the nude exhibition last summer it was nice. I went last time with school trip and the kids card board city collaboration affair was fab.

M.

Wow what a building! Stunning conversion blending the old and new into a fantastic space for displaying art. Well balanced exhibits from the traditional to random modern I.e. my 5 year old could have done that... Not really but I didn’t get most of that section. A cool corridor of Maori portraits, a Monet, Picasso. Something for everyone. For the kids they have a creative space so they can get stuck in. Entry is $20 for foreign scum like me but Kiwis get in free.

R.

Hosts a wide range of local, national and international artwork, sculptures and art installations from a variety of styles and eras, along with various temporary exhibitions and a weekend art workshop for kids. Recommend setting aside up to two hours to fully experience and appreciate the gallery's collection.

C.

Great art gallery, free for locals people or 20$ for visitors. Free places to store your back safely. Multiples expositions on different levels. There is something for everyone's taste. We went 2 hours before closing and it wasn't enough. We had to cut our visit short.

L.

interesting didn't like the long wait for the Quant exhibition but totally understood the staff were exceptional as well dealing with frustrations most people took it on the chin though

C.

A lovely creative space that can take your mind to a far off abstract but real place! I love the creative corner where you can do your own designs using colourful magnetic strips placed on a wall 🥰🤩

A.

A well located art gallery, though parking in this area is either very challenging or expensive. So it's highly recommended to walk or take a bus, if you can. The main foyer inside the gallery often host various interesting artworks, some are dynamic/interactive one. The gallery also have a great collection of the Victorian era art pieces. If you're a member, you can get some nice perks as well, such as free entry to the paid exhibition. Though their free exhibition are as good as their paid one. Every other Saturdays, there's free tango dancing at the amphitheatre behind the gallery.

R.

Current exhibition on "Speaking honestly" was varied in expressions of visual and audio presentations of artists from diverse backgrounds .The use of internet and the intertaction of" human ness" is explored in ways that I struggled to see the connection at times with the objects in the room ...e.g A wax , rectangular vessel with an eye shaped inset ,which had honey inside ... Still enjoyed my day in the central city to best the winter months 😊 Organic tea and great service at the cafe . Worth a visit !!!

g.

This is not a Washington DC, Paris or New York Art Museum having such famous artists artist that we are all so familiar. This a magnificent exhibition of Zealand art! If you are a guest of New Zealand visiting to enjoy is raw natural beauty and gorgeous people, this a visit one must make for a small peak inside of New Zealand's wonderful artistic history.

B.

Never been here before but glad I did come. Some nice pieces of Artwork at the Auckland Art Gallery both classical and modern. A very cool space as well with a mixture of modern and classical architecture.

s.

Had an amazing atmospheric Maori contemplating art exhibit. I liked the infinity mirrors. Also had a figure drawing session, enjoyed that

S.

Good Mary Quant exhibition but could have added value with social context - the film Clockwork Orange, and that many home sewers didn't have access to a sewing machine that could see knit fabrics

E.

An intricately constructed (check out the ceiling woodwork) destination to spend some time mulling over contemporary and classic art. General exhibitions are free and visiting installations are worth a look. A trendy cafe and gift shop completes the picture.

C.

It is always have new things, super good for children and family visiting. Looking for more international art pieces display or other exhibitions in the world level.

P.

Auckland Art Gallery is one of the main reasons that keep us in Auckland. It is current, vibrant, engaging, and inviting visitors to experience something else other than their normal lives. At the moment they have "Denmark Design" exhibition which will stay on until 2nd February 2020 and Colin McCahon, "From the Archive: Colin McCahon in Auckland." Please enjoy :)

H.

Our art gallery at it's best. Went for the for the Mary Quant exhibition and I can recommend it. Innovative, stimulating and educative.

D.

Beautiful space with fine art. Good free activity to do with kids. There was a kids corner with art supplies to keep them entertained.

P.

The art gallery is a great place to spend some time and get familiar with New Zealand's art scene and history. There are classic and contemporary collections and plenty of events you should visit. You can go deep with Maori art which plays a very important role in today's NZ. And you can do it on a fantastic building with a very helpful staff. If you are local, consider a membership what comes with extra access to lectures, exhibitions and content.

F.

Worth to visit! Plenty arts and very interesting 😃 beside that, it's free admission.. except certain room or hall which held special art event have to pay only. Very clean and temperature just nice. For those who drive, can park your car nearby albert park and visit during weekends to enjoy free parking yea!

J.

Such a nice place in the city. Lots of interesting artwork. Free for Auckland residents. More people should be visiting this place :) Really worth the 1 or 2 hours spent there if you love art.

D.

Dropped into The Walters Prize and found my yin the gallery for hours, due in the main to the fascinating historical Exhibitions. A must see

M.

Free for kiwis and residents. The place is amazing. Artworks are priceless. Highly recommended. Make sure you visit the 4 floors. You can park on Civic Parking below Aotea Square. 3 mins walk.

K.

Loved the Mary Quant exhibition, and the clowns were very cool too.

T.

Amazing space, beautiful building and courteous staff, love visiting with my baby. Excellent children's activity space and amenities. Really worth buying a membership as you get access to members lounge and all exhibitions. This gallery is an asset to our city.

K.

Decent museum with some colorful artwork and fashion. There was an entire section dedicated to an activist group called the "Guerilla Girls" for women's awareness month. However, this section was highly distasteful to me... as I felt that their message was too forceful, and focusing mostly on political viewpoints rather than art. If it was a smaller section I wouldn't have been too bothered, but the Guerilla Girls took up 4 entire gallery rooms... I'll probably return a different time.

M.

Love the building intertwined modern and old. Simple lines and airy spaces. There is a great space for kids and families to have a try at some art. Located in the centre of Auckland.

D.

Most beautiful collection. We were very happy having gone here. Building is very nice and accommodating for the art in it.

G.

Interesting New Zealand art exhibition on four flours where you can easily spend a few hours. There is an interactive creative art section and a nice cafe.

L.

A great place to kill time if you're new to the city. We spent about 2 hours here. The gallery highlights a lot of local NZ artists. Don't forget to check the cardboard DIY room on the mezzanine (I think) level.

K.

We try to visit as often as we can, it never fail to impress. Latest theme had been Maori Art. VR was a new input.

A.

Nice gallery and great cafe

A.

Awesome place to visit semi frequently as the place always changes a bit and I'm always learning new things about the history of new Zealand. Wether you want to go there with a date and ponder over the artistic meaning behind the pieces or simply make memes out of the dramatic renaissance paintings, the art gallery's always worth a visit

S.

Always great. The current exhibition of Maori Art and Artist is exceptional. The space itself is stunning.

s.

Loved the exhibition All that was solid melts. A must see!

G.

Fascinating exhibits. I am not a museum/art gallery man but I happily spent 2.5 hours in the gallery. Outstanding place.

H.

Highly recommend the Obliteration Room installation by Yayoi Kasuma. Each person is given a page of circular stickers to place in the room. The cumulative effect is quite striking. There is no cost for entry. There are also a number of other exhibits and paintings which makes for an interesting visit.

D.

Nice & cool Gallery in Auckland. Paintings, Sculptures and modern Art works you can appreciate. Not so huge gallery but enough to look around. Enjoy the place, :-)

H.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the principal public gallery in Auckland, New Zealand, and has the most extensive collection of national and international art in New Zealand. It frequently hosts travelling international exhibitions. the gallery was established in 1888 as the first permanent art gallery in New Zealand. The building originally housed the Auckland Art Gallery as well as the Auckland public library opening with collections donated by benefactors Governor Sir George Grey and James Tannock Mackelvie. The Auckland Gallery collection was initially dominated by European old master paintings following the standard taste of the 19th century. Today the collection has expanded to include a wider variety of periods, styles and media, and numbers over 15,000 artworks.[2] Many New Zealand and Pacific artists are represented, as well as Europe and material from the Middle Ages to the present day. The main gallery building was originally designed by Melbourne architects Grainger & D'Ebro to house not only the art gallery but also the City Council offices, lecture theatre and public library. It is constructed of brick and plaster in an early French Renaissance style and was completed in 1887, with an extension built in 1916. It is three storeys high, with an attic in the steep pitched roofs, and a six-storey clock tower.

J.

Mary Quant exhibition was awesome & cafe served yummy food which came out in no time at all.

C.

We spent our last afternoon in Auckland taking in the art gallery. A little bit of everything was featured throughout the 4 floors. The gallery itself is in a beautiful location near lots of restaurants and cafes.

M.

Quite an interesting gallery with an obliteration room (where you stick colourful dots on everything). Mostly modern art. Which some of them are amazing but some are nothing special. It's ok to visit but i wouldn't go there again.

V.

A fantastic building, to wonder around for a couple of hours. The current exhibition Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Maori Art is a must see.

J.

Fabulous Mary Quant exhibition and Clown art installation. Really nice cafe with great selection of food and drinks. 😁

N.

An interesting small gallery. Tends to exhibit a majority of contemporary art also with New Zealand art over time predominating, as one would expect.

M.

the greeting was warm and friendly. I wanted to stay longer. Great exhibition. Staff on first floor were helpful. Beautiful works on display.

E.

Went to see the Mary Quant exhibition. Was very good, gallery was great will try to spend bit more time next time

M.

Mary Quant expo just first class. Great Art Gallery full stop.

h.

Always full of amazing and diverse artwork to see. Definitely one of my first stops whenever I'm in Auckland!

E.

Toi Tu Toi Ora is a must see exhibition! Parking at Victoria car park is reasonable too. I fell in love with Israel Birch's work

L.

One of my favorite art galleries in the world. Wonderful collections and fantastic display. Worth visit again and again.

P.

Always love spending time here.. the slow pace, easy layout and well thought out commentary/content on screens.

S.

A beautiful gallery with a diverse selection of classical and contemporary art. Visited in April 2019 and much of the exhibition space was featuring works by female artists. Some of those were works of protest art and/or feminist art, and some works of fashion/wearable art. Would love to return annually to see new exhibits.

A.

Fantastic art gallery is a beautiful historic building. Definitely check it out if you're in Auckland.

H.

I always enjoy checking out the Auckland art gallery! I think it is a criminally underrated place to visit, especially on a staycation. Meeting up with friends to go shopping on queen street can get repetitive (and expensive). So visiting the art gallery is a great alternative. There is no entry fee and the exhibits change enough that I never get bored. It’s a great way to spend your afternoon instead of window-shopping. I visited the art gallery after meeting up with some friends and grabbing a coffee. It wasn’t busy at all and we were able to peruse the artworks at our own leisure. The art is not only visually stunning, but the majority of pieces have strong themes and narratives related to important historical and current events. I constantly find myself learning something new about Maori history and culture whenever I visit. However, even without the art, the architecture of the building itself is stunning. The staff are lovely and extremely informative. Chatting with the staff at the front desk gave me some insight to the upcoming exhibitions, which I’d love to see. Upcoming exhibitions and instalments are also listed on the website, so you can check online to see whats going on before visiting.

F.

Let's start it's a free museum. It is an old and new modern building in one. There are nice exhibitions and there is a play corner for children. Worth a visit.

F.

The biggest gallery in AKL, seen certain famous exhibiton like Picasso here. Wish they can get more artists and expand it more.

C.

Went there by myself to enjoy a few short films. From the very beginning I experienced good friendly service. The gallery was very tidy! Modern ! And there was a lot of interesting art works on display. They had works is display from all sorts of eras! I loved my visit so much that I signed up as a member so I can take a friend with me for free and so that I can get early notices of new exhibitions. Being a member I also get invited to special events such as opening night for an exhibit!! I can’t wait to show off the beautiful gallery to a friend!

D.

Parking its tricky even in the weekend but you might already know that. The staff are absolutely fantastic, super helpful and friendly and very knowledgeable. The building was carefully renovated and extended but you get glimpse of the original building in different parts on m of the gallery. Great place, allow between 1 and 2 hours to visit

D.

Havent been in here for a while, Colin McCahon is on display. Great asset for Auckland & beautiful building to fill in time & have a wonder around, love it here. Tuesday 24 September 2019.

W.

Very comfortable place to wander around and experience various art. On our day we saw contemporary Maori art. Brilliantly displayed and informative. Caught the train into the city and wandered up Queen St. Gallery is highly recommended.

K.

Beatiful architecture with more than expected quantity of intriguing and well co-ordinated displays of art! Also free for residents making it an easy place to go frequently.

E.

The Mary Quant exhibit brought back so many good memories. Well worth going to see.

K.

Had initially only gone in to see the Obliteration Room exhibition but ended up spending a good few hours there. So much to see and learn.

T.

Great gallery with some very interesting exhibits. Very relaxed atmosphere through. Everyone working there was very friendly. Added bonus that it is free for Auckland residents. Would fully recommend visiting during your time in Auckland.

이.

The entrance fee is so reasonable and the arts are so luxurious and inspired me so much. Also it has a nice cafe in the building and of course a shop. It’ll be a nice place to visit for adults, but not with children because you know 🤓🤓

J.

beautiful gallery, a lot of different exhibitions and the architecture of the building and the designs of the individual rooms are great. definitely worth visiting :)

E.

Always lots to explore for hours on end, with free (Aucklanders I think) and ticketed exhibitions.

P.

The Art Museum is free to all New Zealanders but you will need a drivers license or bank card. A merging of the old and the new in terms of the building and the Art. Be aware of changing exhibitions.

T.

The gallery is a must visit when in Auckland. It has many collections from different streams and style of art. It has interactive space for visitor to make their own art too. Staffs were so helpful and friendly.

S.

I visit the gallery about 6 times a year and am always impressed by the quality of the exhibitions. If an Aucklander I highly recommended getting a membership, to which you can add extras for $15 each. Often some workshops on for the kids (and adults).

L.

Mary Quant exhibition was great.

W.

Came here with my granddaughter. Not for us, we left after 30 minutes. Not a lot of activities here for kids. Seems like most of the interesting exhibits go to Te Papa in Wellington rather than here.

C.

Amazing place! Great cafe with lovely healthy food and amazing exhibitions. Would highly recommend.

L.

A beautiful gallery and venue, I love coming every few months to see what has changed, but also perfect for balls!

C.

Outstanding in presentation, quality of artistic offering, and variety of media. Active workshops for young people where a treat for everyone. Highly recommended for residents and visitors, alike.

T.

Beautiful place. Building was also good. There are many modern art. A little bit difficult but can appreciate in relaxedly.

T.

My 3 year old daughter and I love coming here. Each time we explore a new area and then head to the children's area and children's activity. There is a pretty good cafe inside and lots of great eateries closeby too. They sometimes have a beanbag and children's art books out too. Great for a chill out.

j.

I always love going to the Auckalnd Art Gallery. This particular visit was made extra special because of the Yayoi Kusama: The Obliteration Room exhibition. I was looking forward to it and was so happy that Auckland Art Gallery brought the exhibition from Queensland Art Gallery. It was such a wonderful and immersive experience for the whole family. Exhibition closes on the 2nd of April 2018...I highly recommend that you see it before it ends however, Auckland Art Gallery will surely have another exhibition to look forward to if you miss this one.

s.

Art lovers heaven. Has the most beautiful and wierd art (sorry) spread across a huge area. Everything about this place is captivating and is a must see if you are short on time in auckland. A great perspective sinks into you when you capture the beauty of the art in this place.

j.

Mary Quant retrospective and a day spent inside a very busy gallery. Who says there is no such thing as time travel?

J.

Visited the Mary Quant exhibition, thoroughly enjoyed it.

I.

Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! So much art to see and so many different categories too. Historical, contemporary and so on. They also have the "From Pillars to Posts : Project another country" which is a lot of fun to take part in. Definitely worth it to pop in and have a look.

S.

Loved the Mary Quant exhibit. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.

N.

Great for a day out with family, friends or by yourself. A variety of different seasonal and permanent exhibitions. Not big enough to spend hours there, which is good if you're looking for something to do to kill some time. Nice cafe on site too, overlooking Albert Park.

P.

Very good collection of artwork on display, the Gallery had a display of the Corssini collection from Italy, however we chose to only look through their own collections before looking at international pieces, and pleased we did. Huge galleries over about four floors and quite a few interactive displays too. There were some renowned artists on display, such as a Picasso, Claude Monet and the piece from Paolini., there was also some bizarre 'art', in the modernist feel, which is obviously not permanent displayed. The building itself was beautiful combination of restored and new built art.

A.

Loved this gallery a lot! Lots of different exhibitions in a beautiful setting

A.

My great great granddad George Leslie was a artist, I let my fingers do the walking on the Auckland Art Gallery website and for the first time I saw his paintings. WOW Grandad!

K.

A must see in Auckland and one of the best galleries I have ever been to - particularly in terms of range of exhibits. I feel overwhelmed in really large galleries and often leave exhausted as a result, but this gallery was perfectly sized only needing half a day to do well. The political history of the country can be better observed here than at the Auckland Museum, so for anyone interested in Maori culture and recent history, be sure to stop by the Gallery.

A.

While a little on the smaller side, the Auckland at gallery packed a punch. We were not only about to see the Gorilla Girls exhibition, but also had a glimpse at the classic architecture that would have been around in the early days. Very informative.

N.

Very beautiful art gallery, many different types of art are showcased here. Entrance is free.

V.

I like this building, it’s a great place to know the New Zealand culture more.

d.

The environment is very suitable for Internet celebrity check-in

R.

A couple of great exhibits make it well worth the price of entry.

G.

First visit to Auckland Art Gallery and certainly will not be our last. Sunday visit. Specially went for the Bodies Laid Bare exhibition on loan from the Tait. However so much more to see....the Goldie deserve many repeat visits....they AMAZING and haven't even began exploring the rest of the exhibits.. Oh and loved Art classes with the models and artists sketching. The cafe was busy but efficient and food and coffee good.

O.

The Auckland Art Gallery is truly great. With not only an incredible display on at the moment but also a cafe you can enjoy art with a nice hot cup of coffee. The cafe overlooks a large room which contains at least three different pieces one of which is the ceiling. The art gallery is also close to a lot of great cafes and restaurants such as “Scarecrow” and many others. The art gallery is also close to the university nearby.

F.

Wonderful Mary Quant exhibition. Good coffee, delectable food. Delish brownies..l

김.

Great place to spend time worthy I could know about Maori art which are impressive. Also I love the cafe on the third floor coz lots of dessert and good atmosphere

I.

Mary Quant exhibition is excellent. So too the neighbouring Bill Culvert exhibition.

S.

A cool art gallery, definitely dedicate a couple of hours to wander through it. The best part is it is free!

C.

Beautiful, small art museum. I really appreciated that ground level features Maori artisits.

A.

Free experience with high quality exhibits. Love all the art and color contract ❤️. Always bring me new idea and knowledge. Definitely come back again.

E.

Maori Artist Exhibition pretty good. Some works were very good and others were hmmm ... average in my humble opinion. Photographs from the 70s interested me more. Real life connections with the past through photography always interests me. The windows to the past. Overall, a very good day. Interpretation and inspiration all left to the beholder.

M.

Fabulous. The Corsini exhibition kept me amused and amazed for hours. Plus a great environment for meeting old friends by arrangement or by chance and for contact with international visitors. Very wheelchair-friendly tho a bit unsafe for independently mobilising vision-impaired...especially the outdoor steps....no rumble strips or even brightly contrasting colours.

C.

Amazing art put up on display, love it

d.

Excelent building, easy to go through and great expos!!! Free for NZ residents and Visa Holders

N.

Beautiful and breathable space right in the middle of the city. Good luck trying to find a free car park nearby, though. Great place to spend a rainy day, going from gallery to gallery and appreciating the work from different artists.

S.

Awesome visit, definitely worth going to if you are in the area

J.

Small, notice the exhibitions aren't changed very frequently. What about all the famous NZ paintings which must be kept under lock and key? Couldn't a permanent exhibition be kept in one of the rooms, with the NZ oils, acrylics etc paintings being turned over regularly.

D.

Always something to enjoy at the art gallery

s.

One of the best exhibition of Japanese art I've seen

P.

The Mary Quant exhibit is amazing! Truly worth a visit

A.

Fascinating particularly the Mary Quant exhibition. Loved the clowns!

W.

Fantastic gallery show casing world class local and international artists. Definitely worth a visit

N.

The clowns were good and freaky all sitting around chilling

R.

An interesting placw to spend yoir weekend. 20 NZD per person for the extrance. You can find some local and international arts here, with interesting guidance to guide you think and imagine.

H.

We visit this art gallery for the first time and really enjoyed! Beautiful building as well.

C.

I took my daughter and her children to see the old master's...instead we experienced the vibrancy of the Toi Tu Toi Ora...exhibition. 6 year old Aria wanted to go around twice... which we did. It was refreshing and thought provoking. Just great 👏

L.

They have a wonderful exhibit at the moment whānau. Learn about contemporary Maori art and the lovely artists that made them. I set you a challenge and try and focus on a name or artist or piece that you don't know or haven't heard of. Let the work speak for itself.

D.

Loved it. Really pleasant to visit. Amazing layout with surprising movement between modern and old with emphasis on light and space. And a surprising collection with some interesting artworks as well as some historic treasures. Worth a visit.

W.

Lovely place to visit for school holidays. Had a scavenger hunt which was enjoyable and free! Beautiful art pieces as well. Very kind staff.

H.

Nice time in the gallery, worth a visit.

S.

Luckily both my mother and I are NZ citizens because if we had been charged what they are now charging non residents to enter I would not be amused. Perhaps I've been spoiled by all the galleries outside of NZ because I was vastly underwhelmed.

S.

Absolutely love the building and how rooms are used to display art. It is one of those incredibly peaceful places where you can both learn and relax.

J.

March 2021 has a very engaging exhibition of Maori art spread throughout this fascinating building. You are able to book yourself into a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.

m.

Great gallery to visit for all. It has a dedicated kids room, usually a interactive art space for all to get a bit hands on and creative. Always fun to visit.

J.

Amazing gallery! Must visit when in Auckland.

K.

These photos I captured on 4.04.3021. This was my third visit to view the ToiTuToiOrā exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery. It’s absolutely stunning with very talented New Zealand Maori Artists on display So much see and soak up as I like to take my time to enjoy all the art. I highly rate this exhibition with free admission to all.

A.

Missed out on the Denmark design, that probably took out a good 30minutes worth. Our favorite was the MacKelvie international gallery. Good outing for rainy days. Allow about 1.5hours.

G.

Just recently saw an exhibition that's currently on, and it was stunning. Also been here for the life drawing sessions, which have been a treat. It's a beautifully built building too. Very enjoyable experiences.

T.

What a great experience for miss 7 & 4. Thoroughly enjoyed the exhibitions.

M.

Excellent little gallery showcasing mainly New Zealand artists and a mixture of contemporary and classical art. Be sure to check out the portraits by Charles Goldie. I went there for the Yayoi Kusuma obliteration room which presents many opportunities for a new Instagram photo. NB: the gallery is free if you can provide proof of New Zealand residency otherwise it's $20 for tourists.

A.

Great Gallery

J.

Mary Quant exhibition is excellent. A walk down memory lane. 😉🙂

M.

Love the variety of exhibitions and the coffee is good.

H.

Not a huge art museum but varied and high quality. Maori, Western and current work all represented.

M.

Great museum. Not too big, good artwork assortment. Staff is very helpful and knowledge

B.

Took a lot of photos ,I would love to come again and have a look at the art gallery a bit more.

M.

The building itself has a stunning architecture. Liked it!

T.

Update- sadly, it is no longer free for foreigners. So, if you are willing to pay, this place is good for an hour's worth of distraction. But the cost doesn’t justify the limited collection

M.

Free entry with my NZ driving license, some really cool exhibits, especially the work with cardboard. Some really out there stuff I'm not sure I understood but I'm sure it means something to somebody.

M.

Top gallery - always interesting exhibitions. Great staff very helpful. The cafe is a must and a good place for lunch

d.

Mary Quant exhibition is fabulous suggest you go and visit

P.

We spent 2 hours with young children exploring the art in this wonderful gallery. The children loved the opportunity to e plots this great building, to dance and then to create their own masterpiece (it's now proudly displayed on the fridge). Meanwhile the adults had time to explore all the free exhibitions. Loved the New Zealand art. Absolutely will return when visiting family again.

K.

Amazing exhibitions. Thoughtful and tasteful. The building is stunning and also right next to Albert park which is beautiful. Lovely cafe for lunch too.

r.

The gallery was great, but it was really incredible for kids. We spent hours here making 3d Xmas kauri and pohutukawa trees and creating Forrest rubbings for the gallery wall. Wonderful place for kids in the school holidays. Staff were helpful and informative and engaged the kids with fascinating facts.

l.

Amazing art pieces with a beautiful story line. Would highly recommend coming back, just if you have children beware because there are a lot of close up art work/crafts. They cannot touch these art pieces, so always have supervision.

N.

Stunning contemporary maori art exhibition. Great rainy activity for mums and bubs, café, lift, amazing changing facilities. Babies enjoyed the art with lights.

J.

It is here you will find some very nice paintings and other works of art

A.

I was pleasantly surprised when I visited this gallery. It is a beautifully light and airy space with generous proportions and very well laid out exhibits. The building architecture lends itself to a free flowing wander through the halls. There’s Maori/Polynesian art and history, which is fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the Classic Art - the pieces are exquisite and I know I will be back to spend more time admiring them. The store has a nice range of art and items. It’s a really nice gallery, I’ll be back for sure. Thank you.

K.

Amazing space, great artists. Highly recommend to everyone!

J.

I just LOVE this place. So worth a visit. Go see and experience our people xx

R.

Beautiful museum, great areas for kids, and wonderful architecture. However, like most museums, it would benefit from a better cafe. Flst white and tart were both very average.

A.

Wonderful gallery, in a beautiful setting of greenery and wood. I love that they mix modern contemporary art with traditional old masters. Easy to find in the heart of the city. Aucklanders should be proud of their fine gallery.

L.

For every art loving person a must see spot to go to. The old part of the building is beautiful. The different art paintings do perfectly fit to the rooms. I also liked that Backpackers don't have to pay anything when they are able to show their visa. Thank you again😊

R.

There are always something new to see at Auckland Art Gallery. You can unwind your creative side.

H.

Love this place. I go all the time and the exhibits are always interesting and theres always more to see in their old pieces. Iys a very calming ambience. I often go just to get away from the hustle and bustle as the building itself is wonderful

R.

first of i would like to say that this place is just free of cost ... you can find many things here... the great art of new zealand .. you will miss something like WIFI you will find coffee shop here for me its costly .... but overall experience was just amazingggggggg

B.

Easy walk from CBD. Super friendly and helpful staff.

H.

amazing art gallery, the oil paintings are incredible to look at. there was a ridiculously loud school trip on at the time but they all went back downstairs after a bit.

A.

Went to the Mary Quant exhibition, fabulous.

J.

Good place for photography!! My friend and I had fun in there for a whole day. There are a lot impressive painting

M.

Fantastic venue and inspired show

S.

Great gallery. Not too big, yet a great range of work. Kids really enjoyed it too.

T.

I came to see the Manifesto exhibition. I also had a glimpse of another. Pretty good. Worth a visit.

P.

A mist-visit when you are in Auckland. Cool and interesting collection of Maori artists

H.

nah aye they had a disco installation and it really took me back to my childhood. big respect. also it was free yeehaw but only if youre a citizen

R.

I was surprised at the amount of history on the walls of the Gallery: Goldie and McCahon being two of the displays. The present generation was also well represented, with various wings, walkways, and side galleries all flowing together to create a seamless walk-through. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to check out the pay-for-view exhibits, but the prices were very reasonable, with one at $19 and the other at $29. Hopefully I get a chance to visit again while these are still running.

K.

Do not miss. Amazing art, rich history.

G.

I often go to this gallery but this time Ifound it confusing to find my way around. The glass installation in the foyer has gone and left a large empty space which I found strange. In all I found too many empty spaces crying out for interesting art.

D.

Incredible gallery with an amazing collection of art works and various projects. Be sure to check out the disco party room exhibition; great fun. Admission is free for residents and I think it was about 10 NZ dollars otherwise. Highly recommended.

M.

As a descendant of the indigenous people of Aotearoa NZ, Ngā Iwi Māori, I am in awe of the current exhibition Toi Tu Toi Ora and it's critical reflection on post-colonial dynamics. The Auckland Art Galleries staff members also demonstrated professionalism and bicultural commitment by using Te Reo Māori to the best of their ability.

R.

The place to must visit for those new to Auckland, and for those of us who live here, a monthly visit is good for the soul.

J.

Arriving at the Art Gallery I received plenty of recommendations to spend a quality time there. I was impressed by the contemporary Maori Art especially. Thank you.

J.

Inspiring and stimulating gallery to visit. I had quite a few Wow moments there.

R.

I was shocked, could not look, tears - almost - pursuing my eyes, I felt the scene. They had the opposite, I made it back OK. School kids resuscitate me.

R.

Free. Just as well. But not for us rate payers. We foot the bill. Good Maori art. Ending soon. Big place. Lots of lifts.

C.

Went and saw Civilisations photography exhibition with daughter and grandchildren aged 7 to 15 years. Really enjoyed it and the manipulation by computers. There was plenty for younger people to view as well. Also saw the Leonard Cohen exhibition. Excellente!!

R.

Contemporary art not my cup of tea but free entry

B.

After walk around at art Gallery, then I found nice and peaceful for chill out too.

S.

Enjoyed Mary Quant display very much.

F.

Auckland Art Gallery has been transformed in recent years into a beautifully modern building. That said, the new hasn't come at the expense of the historic charm of the original building. On the contrary, it's a beautiful space with visitor enjoyment and comfort top of mind. The quality of the exhibitions in recent months has been superb and I particularly enjoy coming here to experience a refreshing change of pace and some inspiration. The café is nice and well worth a visit. All in all a great venue to visit, for both locals and tourists alike.

J.

A pretty cool spot if you like a bit of art. Plenty of contemporary art of various forms as well as more historical paintings are on display. A cafe is available for a break if needed. There were plenty of staff handy when I was there. Note for overseas visitors there is a cost involved payable on entry.

J.

Very clean and open plan with many things to see! There was a live choir rehearsal going on as we were looking at the amazing Maori paintings. They were my favorite also the classic art selection was breath taking. TAKE NOTE. Park in the Victoria st parking as it is cheaper than the one on Kitchener st we paid $26 for the 2 hours there. Gallery is free entry for NZ citizens, travellers need to pay. Fully enjoyable experience!

D.

Pretty interesting pieces and especially the Maoi related ones

M.

Free admission allows us to introduce our kids to art without feeling pressure to see everything. We were lucky to visit during school holidays and enjoyed doing a free family craft together.

S.

Well-designed, modern-looking and organised gallery. Staff were friendly. You could get free entry if you are living and studying here, just show your student card at the counter. They have a cloakroom to keep your large bags and umbrellas. Good collection of artwork by NZ artists. Would come again when they have new exhibitions.

L.

There’s so much to see and do, a worthwhile visit if you’re in the city. Definitely do the tour if you can.

J.

The building is absolutely stunning, the staff are friendly and very informative. There was a fragrance art was very interesting, sometimes art is not just sight and touch. The cardboard art exhibition was beautiful and the fact that the public contributes to this is wonderful. Definitely worth a visit.

J.

Nice gallery, where parts are accessible with no entry, but a donation. The rooms of the former library building are gorgeous, as well as many of the fine painting. Splendid for a rainy day in Auckland (don't forget the cafe within the gallery to acquire new power for handling further adventures in town).

L.

Wonderful and free if your a citizen or a visa holder. But worth the money. There's a variety of exhibits plus a historical section. I was not a fan of the 'avant garde' but to each their own I guess. Everything else was wonderful. They were building something that seemed cook.but the had to close off a part of the gallery. The front staff was super nice to me. There was a coffee shop there that looked trendy but I didn't go in I'm too cheap. Maybe go if you wanna show off a crazy outfit

D.

Great place to visit, if you have a spare couple of hours.

H.

You have to visit the art gallery to immerse yourself in a different world. The events that happen are child friendly, educative, creative, and provide a lot of family fun too. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers for making our experience nice. Facilities are well maintained. Before clicking a picture, make sure whether photography is admitted or not.

S.

Great day out, Denmark Design was well worth going to.

J.

We had a great day taking our young children to the Gallery. With small children you sometimes worry that you will be shouted at for turning up to an art gallery with really young kids but we were very kindly and understandingly asked to watch them with certain installations. However they were on a whole encouraged to be there. It was a great visit and it feels like its something that we don't have to miss out on just because we have children. Thank you to Auckland Art Gallery and staff.

I.

Great space for local historically important artwork and local modern art installations. The international gallery is exactly what you’d expect in Auckland, lesser known artists and lesser known pieces from some of the greats. But the Maori artwork and NZ pieces are incredible! Lots of info about them and a great way to get a sense of what early relations were like between Europeans and the local Maori. Gallery is tasteful and architecture is beautiful. Really pleasant on a sunny day and worth the entry fee! I only wish they had a little more in terms of old Maori work, weather it be carvings, drawings or whatever. I was impressed by the water colour hall especially, but still wished for more Maori work.

A.

Absolutely loved the tour! It's free and particularly enjoyed the obliteration room exhibit

i.

Found by accident. Some great contemporary art. One and a half hours was two short.

L.

I really enjoyed this art museum. Particularly the special exhibit, Body Laid Bare, from the Tate Museum but also the odd little hallways and side rooms with interesting small exhibits. And, there is a great cafe. The museum is free though the special exhibit cost $23. The museum was rehanging their contemporary collection so I can't speak on those. The two large rooms of grand masters are hung in the style where the paintings are hung 3 or 4 high so you can't see anything very closely. There was a Pieter Brueghel the Younger piece which can't be appreciated in those conditions. However, the special exhibit was excellent, and well curated, well worth the exhibition fee. There was an interesting hallway of old prints that explained the business of the print market when it first started. And another hall of video, one series I"m still chuckling about, showing maybe 15 screens of the artist holding his mother in his arms as long as he can over the last 15 or 20 years. There was a nice children's area with some thoughtful projects. I spent a couple hours at the museum, and then had an excellent coffee, soup, and almond croissant at cafe which overlooks the city.

N.

Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art exhibition is outstanding. It's surprising, interesting and even entertaining. Well done everyone involved in presenting it.

A.

Emphasize New Zealand artists but also have an eclectic mix of others. Regularly run exhibitions featuring interesting artists. Helpful staff and while not cheap have an excellent cafe with a selection of very good quality food to suit most palates and dietary needs. Good value for the money.

T.

Free to New Zealand residents. The gallery is spread over several floors. It is clean and tidy and had some interesting works scattered throughout. Worth a visit and the guided tour seemed very worthwhile with extra background knowledge provided.

A.

The building itself is striking, staff are helpful, there is a good permanent collection and interesting visiting exhibitions. There are usually things for children to do, especially in the holidays. It's free! Nice café, nice setting (on the edge of a park and close to good shopping streets). The shop has lots of beautiful things.

D.

The art gallery has great art... But the cafe needs a darn good clean... Esp if your sitting outside amid bird poop. The cafe is in an amazing building... But the unclean outside railing and glass need attention. The foods fine... But there is more to food than what's on the plate IMHO.

E.

It has a good collection of contemporary art which represents New Zealand culture and history. Every now and again it has different exhibitions on different themes. It is free for residents, just make sure you bring a proof of address just in case. Kid friendly and educational. Facilities inside are spacious and clean.

J.

Really good gift shop for xmas gifts! Awesome spot for a local or tourist to visit. I've lived in auckland for 20+ years and still enjoy regular visits as it's free and always changing.

A.

What a beautiful building and amazing collection. As ratepayers our entry was free (bring some proof of your address. I used my driver's licence). Really friendly and engaged staff. A really awesome way to get some culture in. One of the best experiences in Auckland.

B.

Very nice Art gallery. Did the free guided tour, it was interesting, you get info about some of the art pieces but also about the building. Would really recommend it. Also it is free for people on working holiday visa (more than 1 year)!! Free Wi-Fi and nice cafe inside.

R.

This was my first visit to the Art Gallery in many years. The building itself is very beautiful and a fitting place for the fine art works. I love the huge windows and how the gallery becomes a part of Albert Park. Mojos have great food and coffee and I will be returning again soon.

R.

Lovely gallery! Free if you're an Auckland resident, and regularly has interactive exhibitions as well as permanent installations. A nice hour or two activity

H.

Wonderful New Zealand art. The buildings are works of art themselves. It's free to enter so everyone should go have a look.

K.

Great gallery that keeps the main collection free for Aucklanders and puts on some great exhibitions (some paid, some free). Paintings rotate frequently and there is always an interactive feature for kids(/grown ups!!). Cafe on the top level is quite nice, though pricey. There's a sculpture terrace which is well worth checking out.

K.

This is one of Auckland's most beautiful buildings; it's a modern masterpiece hugging a historic beauty. This description of the building is also probably quite apt for the art that hangs on it's walls; a mix of old and new. It is a nice place to spend a few hours wandering around. The museum is free, however some special exhibitions do charge.

S.

We were lucky enough to catch the light show, it was really great my only negative was we went to in on the first floor and thought that was it as we did not see any other signs on the contrary lucky we decided to explore more of the gallery and found a lot more of the exhibition which was amazing. The art that is permanent is good not too much of it but the special exhibits and the contemporary art makes up for it all. We watched a movie they had about the history of film and that was really informative and interesting.

M.

One of the most wonderful place I've ever been

E.

Very spacious beautiful architecture and amazing layout, this gallery has an amazing collection of New Zealand art. My visit was most enjoyable the staff were friendly and added to the peaceful atmosphere.

P.

Lovely afternoon, well worth a visit

T.

Beautiful! Exhibitions change somewhat often, which is very refreshing. From time to time they will have kids activities. They have a bag check at the front for free. New Zealand residents (with valid ID) get free entry.

M.

Excellent visit. Many superb installations. Very enjoyable.

L.

Awesome place for all ages. Easy access and close to Queen Street for buses. The exhibitions change frequently. Many are open and suitable for children. Baby changing facilities and a cafe plus large spaces make this great for children. All ages have something to admire. A great place

d.

Interesting place to visit with both traditional and contemporary art. Nice cafe with helpful staff..

N.

Lovely gallery for a casual stroll through on a lazy afternoon. Stylishly designed, this gallery may not be the biggest on an international scale but will easily keep you occupied for half the day. Plenty of different exhibitions of a wide range of art pieces. NZ residents are also treated to free entry and inside you’ll find Mojo for all your caffeine needs.

M.

Wonderful art gallery - I just checking checked out the free section (free for NZ citizens) and that kept me occupied for at least three hours. Some stunning NZ art works and lots of Māori and Pacifika contributions - an excellent cross section of cultural influences in NZ art. Absolutely recommend.

D.

As a council owned gallery this is good. With great permanent collection and good temporary displays of a wide variety of art

S.

Kids had fun putting magnet tiles on wall to make pictures... great fun

J.

They often have incredible exhibits. It's a nice light and airy space, refurbished/restored, helpful staff. Parking handy if you don't mind paying a premium. Some exhibitions you have to pay for.

K.

Great art works & the cafe is good, too. Especially cold brew.

K.

I took my 8 year old boy to this gallery during the school holidays. We went with open minds, neither of us being the “arty” type of person. Nevertheless we really enjoyed the experience. This is a tranquil, modern, quality place to view. A must do for all!

J.

AMAZING! A must do in Auckland. The gallert’s Architecture in itself is a must see. A classic building and the most contemporary addition blend perfectly. The art inside is also incredible; from Picasso and Monet to incredible local artists and an impressive Maori art collection. I totally recommend it. Best museum I’ve been in NZ

P.

A beautiful art gallery with several exhibits for many tastes. When I visited, there were exhibits on classical, modern, and feminist art, Maori portraits, New Zealand depictions, and even an interactive exhibit where visitors could put a page of colorful stickers wherever they wanted in an originally white room. It was a great way to spend half of a rainy day.

c.

some cool art, good building, no parking, sometimes quite empty, free

K.

Loved the creative space and the staff, Wakefield the Asian cheap who spoke beautiful Te Reo

M.

The timber sarking is the building's highlight. The exhibition of contemporary Maori art made some good points. Always good to walk through here when in Auckland.

D.

Beautiful architecture. I enjoyed the portraits, watercolors, "classical" oil paintings, and sculptures. Some contemporary/modern art are not awe-inspiring; I would even consider some pieces totally lacking of creativity and imagination (esp. those of solid-coloured canvas mounted on the wall.)

S.

Fabulous art gallery. Great overview of NZ art work easy to digest. Great architecture and child care section/station. Super friendly staff. Always worth a visit.

S.

Always a nice place to visit. The gallery has had loads of upgrades and seems to change out the exhibits pretty often. The cafe is pretty good too. The room with all the dot stickers is fun for the kids too.

R.

This place had a nice selection of stuff but not much that made me gawp with awe. The shop was full of great stuff though; books, cards, prints, trinkets. All well designed and worth a look. The café was also excellent, serving my favourite, cold brew coffee! Worth a look, a nice afternoon.

R.

Brilliant gallery with some wonderful New Zealand artworks. There's a nice cafe and a free cloakroom. It's situated in a pleasant park with more sculpture to enjoy there too

P.

Great exhibitions with many different styles of art, although mostly painting. I loved the gallery of Maori portraits and the New Vision from Gordon Walter. Don't miss the beautiful park before of after the visit!

L.

Free entrance with working holiday. Not that much into art so I would just rush through. Especially when you are interested in New Zealandish artists you will enjoy this place. Gallery contains a cafe with rather expensive prices.

A.

You just cannot miss it when you go to Auckland. Take the guided tour and walk on your own too. There is a lot of beautiful pieces of art to see there. The building itself is one of them. There is a store and a coffee shop in there. Both of them are very nice. The guided tour is for free but people that are not Auckland residents must purchase a ticket to visit the Art Gallery.

P.

Had the new members tour with Jenny on a very wet Saturday afternoon. Great to find all the nooks and crannies of the Gallery following superficial visits over the years for exhibitions. Feels like this place is a part of our city landscape now.

I.

A magic day at the Maori Art show. Wonderful layout and use if music and lighting to enhance the actual art pieces.

L.

Good way to spend an afternoon, takes about 2.5 hours to go through. Focus on New Zealand artists, which as a international tourist is very interesting since it's not something one knows a lot about. It's 20nzd to enter without a NZ residence card, which might be slightly steep given its not the biggest collection

D.

Very nice gallery. I highly recommended coming here if you're in AKL.

G.

Great place for kiwis to visit as it is free, just make sure you have a form of ID. Always being updated with new art, as well as some permanent work. Wish there was something similar to the light exhibition they had on a few years ago as that was awesome

P.

No doubt it is very good for those who know all about modern art but for ordinary people like me, much of it was not really art. In 100 years' time, in my opinion, nobody will be displaying much, if any, of the more modern photograpic material that is currently on display at the Auckland Art Gallery - purportedly as "Art"

D.

It's worth to visit. But I don't understand modern art ))

J.

Great Maori Contemporary Art Exhibition in end 2020 early 2021. Well worth a visit. Parking nearby.

H.

I thought this was the best thing we did in our recent stay in Auckland. The highlight is an enormous collection of formal portraits of Maoris. The pictures were great. An great addition was a film that showed ancestors of some of the portrait subjects talking about stories they had heard and generally bringing Maori history and culture alive.

B.

Excellent range of art - especially depicting New Zealand history

R.

Well curated. May not be as large and diverse as some museums, but very good.

A.

The sneak peak of Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Maori Art exhibition was stunning. It was worth the trip through the rain to see it.

B.

The Auckland Art Gallery is a wonderful place to spend your time, we went in to view the manifesto exhibition, but there were also many more interesting areas to view as well. Entry to the Art Gallery is mostly free apart from specific exhibitions as van be seen on their website. Id recommend coming in and getting lost in the Art some time.

T.

The best part for me were of our ancestors pictures. Staunch, fierce & beautiful. I couldn't get enough of looking into the eyes of our ancestors and the feeling you get, my experience was touching. See for yourself I hope you feel the same way I did

P.

A lovely gallery right next to a park, beautifully built in glass wood and metal, the gallery is on several levels easily reached by a central staircase and lift. Look up and you will see art... Excellent gift shop too. It also backs onto the park from the main road so you can see greenery from inside the gallery. Apparently it was under threat of closure but hopefully people will realise how important it is to the city, the artists who show their work and the staff who run it.

T.

A small but respectable collection of art can be found in this gallery, which can be easily enjoyed in under two hours at least. I especially found the Victorian art section interesting as it's possibly the closest Auckland can get to similar art at the Louvre Museum. Access around and within the Gallery is very convenient and you cannot argue with the entry price (free but donations are encouraged). Even if you are to skim through most of the pieces, you can also appreciate the fine and classy architecture of the building. The timber used here is beautiful.

A.

Interesting gallery..spend some time here.

D.

Fantastic day out if you’re into art or just a nice way to waste an hour in town Beautiful modern and classic architecture holding art of all sorts of styles from modern to marble sculpture. Great photo op if you wanna look cultured Also super great coffee place I’ve been on at least 6 occasions and it never gets old as it’s different every time with frequent new exhibitions.

f.

easy to get lost in the art and the gallery and a little disorientating but a beautiful building and interesting exhibits

A.

Very welcoming and organised. Great exhibits and facilities. Would love one or two late nights to meet family after work view and use cafe. Thanks for s lovely couple of hours

P.

I have visited by myself, with family and with my students. There is something for everybody as the art is from many different genres and periods in this large municipal art gallery. There are static collections and guest collections and there is usually an interactive exhibit suitable for all ages, often using the public's input to make an installation artwork. If you plan to bring a class, it's a good idea to call beforehand to check they aren't swamped, but a casual drop-in with a handful of students should be alright. Entry is free to local residents, and that includes international students with student ID cards - you get a wristband on entry. (Sometimes there's a special exhibition requiring paid entry to that part of the gallery only.) Cameras are okay unless they say otherwise. You can leave baggage and valuables safely at the desk, and there is a cafe upstairs, which I'm not going to review because I haven't used it recently. Overall, Auckland Art Gallery is a cultural taonga (treasure) that art/sculpture fans will love.

J.

Very interesting gallery of maori art and at my time a very eye opening collection of the gorilla girls (check them out you wont believe the numbers). If you are a traveler with a working visa you get a free entrance. Can recommend heavily

A.

Very nice gallery. Many different exhibits. Unfortunately, if you are not a local, you must pay an entrance fee of $20 for adult. That does not include the featured exhibit.

J.

A good way to spend a rainy day! Diverse exhibitions showcasing both historical and modern art. I really loved the area with the historical paintings of the maori. The cafeteria was also good, the variety in food and drink should be okey for anyone. Also, free entrance to all but one exhibit!

N.

Beautiful Galleries , great exhibitions, from the classical to modern art. All in an amazing and interesting building. It's free entry, all ages friendly, and they even have free tours that are not too long, You just need to read about toure times on the website.

T.

I visited the Denmark design which was really cool. The staff were so nice and friendly. And there is a bus stop almost right outside so really convenient if you don't want to have to park.

K.

Bring our kids to know our mother land and culture by arts.

r.

Very interesting and giving many information about plastic-arts un New Zealand. Must see!

M.

Was genuinely impressed by the standard of the exhibition and how the exhibits were put together. I saw a Dutch design and the Suzanne Goldberg exhibition, as well as their permanent collection. Its definitely worth a visit.

A.

lovely art gallery. free for residents and citizens! show ID to get free entry.

K.

I took my 5yo granddaughter to the animated short films that AUT students put together. Great that it was 30mins max as she was ready to rock out of there but had her captivated for the most of it. Thank you AUT & Akld Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.

E.

Amazing place, great people helping you and beautiful and meaningful art!

M.

Stunning McCahon and Louise Henderson exhibitions on currently. Fantastic

A.

Presented in a quite modern theme Auckland Art Gallery is a delight to stroll through and enjoy. Not at all Art connoisseurs we thoroughly enjoyed the Art displayed so thoughtfully and in such a down to earth way. A credit to Auckland and we would recommend to everyone.Special displays featured from time to time are also not to be missed.

A.

Though quite small by international standards we really enjoyed our visit here, the gallery has a very diverse range is art styles and is well laid out. I'm not particularly into this kind of art so small doses are great for me.

J.

The Auckland art gallery captures everything a modern art gallery should. There is the perfect balance between national art that explores New Zealand's history as well as the wider Pacific community. It also covers International and modern as well as historical art. With new art rotating through the art gallery regularly as well as interactive exhibits, it makes it a spot to visit over and over again.

n.

Detail and stunning The design of the art gallery fit into the park blend so well with the colour contrast, using natural colour such as the grey and brown. Collaborate with not only quality local but also international artists exhibit they artworks to the public of New Zealand really stunning effort. The team are professional and detail in every bit while setting up the exhibition. Guided your are have great knowledge about all the artwork and friendly. Is the Gem of Auckland as especially in the busy CBD of Auckland.

S.

I visit quite frequently. They update the exhibitions fairly regularly and there's a great selection of both NZ and foreign art on display. A nice quiet, contemplative, and creatively stimulating place to visit after being out in the hustle and bustle of the city.

A.

Gallery is fine, arts is modern. Thought there is one show of classic art, that makes this gallery not useless completely. Make sure you take any residence proof to get a free entry, otherwise it costs.

G.

Intriguing art displays, free art gallery part from specialty exhibits, and the staff are very knowledgeable. Take the guided tour if you are able. It was only $10 and I got a wealth of information from an engaging guide who is very passionate about art (get a tour with Sarah if you can, she is phenomenal!!). A highlight of my visit to Auckland!!

K.

My parents used to often take us to the Auckland Art Gallery when we were kids. I now longer live in Auckland so always enjoy coming to the gllery when I get the opportunity. The renovations are splendid and and have improved the experience greatly. The building itself is lovely to experience. There's always well curated exhibitions and good variety of art to see.

S.

Cannot believe this place is free. It's fantastic! The cafe is also great, maybe expect to pay about $15 per person, which all in all is a cheap outing. They also hold any potentially dangerous items (like umbrellas) safely for free.

r.

Frances Hodgkins exhibition was on and quite unique to see her development in style and expression. The staff were friendly and helpful. A lot of walking, but there was plenty of space to display the art work effectively.

P.

This is a must see. Even if you are not into art, it still shows part of our culture. The museum is also very kid friendly and has always some nice activities for young and old. Seriously, it's worth a visit.

E.

Clowns to the left, clowns to the right

J.

I love going to Auckland Art Gallery. There's always something new on display every couple of months, and touring exhibitions that range from the classical to the abstract. Entry is free for NZ residents and only NZD20 for those who live overseas, so it's an inexpensive way to experience some amazing international culture.

L.

Very nice place, with a variety of different arts. Loved it!

L.

Great little art gallery, modern art as well as classic, with some photography and an interactive exhibition. However today is the final day internationals can enter for free ($20 from 22/01) and it will only be residents, how this will be monitered, I am unsure.

S.

Small gallery with less Maori art than I expected. The photos of the old Maori face tattoos are amazing. Also has a great little cafe that you can sit out on the balcony and take in beautiful New Zealand weather.

T.

What an extraordinary experience, in awe of the artist bounty of expression ✨ I'm appreciative of the donors, sponsors, staff & volunteers, who make this gallery available to the 🌎

S.

Really cool exhibition with a huge variety! I loved exploring all the different floors and especially the free tour was very delightful. I highly recommend this gallery to everyone!

P.

Great gem in Auckland City. Entry is free for local residents (just bring addressed utility bill or NZ driver's licence). There are multiple stories, and a range of areas including modern and Maori. You can take photos in most areas, and there is a cafe inside - although there are plenty more in the immediate vicinity.

G.

This place gets better over time. The kiwi collection is great and very liberal, the Victorian collection is one that usually has my most attention. Special kudos to the curator for writing very intuitive and clever blurbs on the walls that bring the various pieces in a collection all together to tell a coherant story.

A.

My favourite museum in Auckland! Diverse topics, great permanent exhibitions and temporary ones. Good coffee and the museum shop is worth a visit. Try the roof terrace for a different perspective...

J.

Clean and we'll presented with a spacious gallery feel and adjacent a park. Definitely feels NZ centric in its content and limited by its footprint as to what there is to see. Probably worth 4 or 5 stars if you haven't been spoilt like I was by living near the Tate in London.

A.

It was my first time, going a couple weeks back and it was absolutely lovely. Everything from the layout, art, atmosphere and building aesthetic was amazing.

l.

This gallery used to be free but now it's only free for residents. I am happy that I didn't pay because I had seen everything on the ground floor before back in September. I enjoyed the exhibition of Yayoi Kusama but thought more of her work would have been nice. It is beautiful gallery but perhaps entry should be on a note donation as not everyone can afford $20.

L.

Of international standard. Worth a visit, to see some interesting art, architecture. The collection is very safe, conservative and ultimately blurs with other national galleries. Mona in Hobart really pushes people and the collection here could use some edge. The cafe, is a bit pricey but that’s fairly typical and no more so than other large gallery refreshment options.

D.

Wonderful public art gallery with special galleries that require you to purchase tickets. Check the website for free gallery tour times; the guides are volunteer docents who love art and having people to talk to art with. Also check out the gift shop, if only for the cheeky shopping bags.

C.

There's a canvas painting the size of a transit van, bright blue, with white/silver lines. It is supposed to be an artists interpretation of his friend being lost in Sydney for 24 hours..... clearly a monster acid trip! 😂 Great architecture!

A.

Enjoyed my visit here today. The Goldie is a highlight, and the current Frances Hodgkins exhibition was very interesting too. The cafe here had a great range of food.

Z.

Enjoyed the free entry. I wouldn’t pay 20 dollars for entry.

J.

After a foundation in Maori culture is a gallery upstairs with a blend of modern art and classical. Inspirational-- with lots of "food for thought!"

j.

Sang here with Gals choir for the Leonard Cohen exhibition Fab! Also check out Lisa Reihanas awesome motion video and many other excellent displays

G.

Lots of light in this beautiful building. Gorilla Girls exhibit theme highlighted that only 1 female artist in 100 artworks are displayed, and how we are missing out on so much great female art. Classical art was brilliant like depicting baby Moses found in Egypts nile river. Kids section to create their own tiny cardboard houses and add to the mountain of houses. Has a cafe but needs vegan options, does vegan hot chocolate. Kiwis are free entry :) Took me 2 days at 5 hours per day to read everything.

P.

Pretty average overall. Poor signage and flow meant our visit was disjointed. Staff were not particularly well-trained or enthusiastic.

J.

Fantastic place. The guide had amazing knowledge and told us some really interesting and engaging stories about the art work on display. All other staff we met were also super helpful and nice. Everything was impeccably clean.

E.

Lovely gallery with an extensive collection of art in a variety of styles. We ate at the cafe which was tasty and nice as well.

i.

Love the place. Unfortunately can't really see much since they were preparing for the next exhibition when I came. Good cafe though, and it's right by the Albert Park.

N.

If you are looking for a day to spend in city, you defenitly have to visit this gallery. And if you love arts they got good paintings which you will defenutly enjoy

P.

Lots of awesome things about this place but as a parent, one thing they excel at - unisex parent change. Flashest I've ever seen!

d.

Lovely.

L.

I loved this art gallery. So many different styles and mediums. I especially enjoyed the interactive exhibit. There are good amenities. They've put forward an amazing collection. I will be back.

E.

One of my favourite places in Auckland to enjoy the world of both the beautiful, the deep, and the whacky. I recently went to Dane Mitchell's "Iris, Iris, Iris" and loved it. Auckland Art gallery is a central gem. To be enjoyed on a Saturday morning after a local breakfast and strong coffee.

A.

Such a range representative of New Zealand's art scene, from portraits of Māori dignitaries to abstract modern. Interesting and essentially effective architectural conversion of earlier, modest building into a contemporary art gallery. Pleasant café. Be sure it's on your list of places to visit in Auckland.

A.

Free entry for residents (incl work visa). Free bag/coat check. It's a nice, pleasant place to spend an hour or two. Interesting contemporary section. No outside food/drink tho.

Y.

Beautiful example of contemporary New Zealand architecture. The permanent collection is solid, and frequently going through updates. A personal favourite is the Historical European wing which marries great art with the space that it is in. Travelling exhibits vary in quality. The cafe, Mojo, is good, but the food can be on the expensive side.

S.

Good art gallery, fun space & regularly changing displays. Occasionally charges for art on tour. Policy of not charging local residents, but I've never been stopped to confirm.

V.

Love this place! Nicely tugged away in Auckland CBD. It offers kids crafting activities too. There are even 2 disabled parkings just opposite of the gallery.

T.

The Auckland Art Gallery is great place to visit , and wander in a fabulous building. I thought the Denmark Design exhibition was excellent , and loved the Louise Henderson artworks.

M.

Great gallery. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Good mix of old and new stuff. Amazing sculptures, gave me a much better appreciation of Maori artwork.

K.

We are regular visitors - a good way to open kids' mind. It's small but complete when compared with other bigger ones. Some free interactive exhibition are really interesting.

J.

Architecturally beautiful. An assortment of modern, historic, and cultural art. There are free tours usually at noon. Some interactive displays. Outdoor sculptures lead to a lovely park above the museum, with massive trees that are art in themselves

R.

A large space with well curated exhibitions. Usually an activity based around an exhibition which makes it a worthwhile visit for families as well. Note that the Wilson parking building across the road is twice as expensive as the council owned parking building which is one block further.

J.

Must go "Walter's Prize" is amazing

Z.

You have to love the gallery of portraits by Goldie! Photographers don't get the accuracy he does with his Maori faces. Worth it for that alone but the contemporary art is also interesting. We also enjoyed sticking dots in the Obliteration exhibit.

O.

NZ government maintained a good quality of museums and galleries in Auckland. Well Done! Resident Entry Fee: Free Visitor from overseas: NZ$20 (Working Holiday VISA holder FREE entry)

C.

While the collection of the museum might not be so impressive compared to its European counterparts, its state-of-art architectural design and the effort to make the gallery interesting deserves a 5-star rating. Plus it has a great cafe a free wifi.

H.

Great gallery with interesting wide-ranging collection from contemporary works to European classics and, when I was there at least, a fantastic free exhibition of Lindenbauer's Maori portraits. The building itself is also very nice, and there is free wifi.

V.

Well set out. Powerful works, particularly in Toi Tu Toi Ora. Lovely to have section for children to participate. Helpful staff

M.

Fabulous visit. Enjoyed the exhibition"The Body Laid Bare". Had great lunch at cafe after and then little walk around rest of gallery. People busy at 'Drop-in figure drawing' . What fun!

S.

Weren't happy with big groups without a booking (even though we emailed them a month prior), but other than that it's a lovely place. Awesome to take all the family.

M.

Superb exhibition of Maori art on now, don't miss it! Ground floor exhibits are particularly good.

L.

I really liked this art gallery - getting to see Maori art and art from Maori artists was a new experience for me. The interactive cardboard exhibit was awesome, I love being able to add my own art and to see other people's.

T.

The atmosphere here is creative and its drivin by all the ambitous artists that have let a tourist like me experience the love the passion and the art of it all in one visit i have felt all this and i won't forget it! An amazing experience even if you don't have an eye for art like myself i loved it . I think now i do have an eye for it!

R.

Great building. Good size - enough to see some variety but not too big so it's overwhelming. loved the two touring exhibitions - excellent picks

K.

The art gallery is such an important place. The Auckand Art Gallery is well laid out. The exhibitions are ways interesting. Staff were friendly. Can't wait to go back

S.

The Art Gallery in Kitchener St is well worth a visit. The Treaty is addressed in so many ways . An education you never got at school.

T.

Free for NZ residents, 20 dollars for people visiting from other countries so not great value... I guess art isn't about broadening minds and positive social impact, it's perhaps more about money spinning in Auckland

M.

Enjoyable experience and great space to enjoy art. Nice balance of local and international art. Please note you need to check in your backpacks etc at counter - this is a free service. Excellent way to spend a couple of quiet and educational hours!

W.

Maori portraits are a highlight. Pacific Sisters fascinating current exhibit on NZ 'fashion activism." "Love, longing, loss" has historic paintings that tell interesting stories. Not a world-class art museum but well worth 2 hours time. The two-story, 3-D modern installation "Rock Drop" left me cold and lamenting the waste of space and money. The beautiful old/new building has nice facilities. Mojo cafe for a delicious tea.

S.

I went here to see Yayoi Kusama's The Obliteration Room and it was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. The staff at the entrance were really friendly when handing out the stickers for it. Afterwards we went to have a look around the rest of the gallery and saw some pretty interesting pieces.

D.

One of Auckland's Landmark and must to visit. Great art exhibit with priceless masterpieces. With a lovely cafe overlooking Albert Park and nice gallery shop.

D.

At least every year i take my children and grandchildren here they are impressed with the displays and certain exhibitions held there . I myself enjoy the arts which are my delights. Helpful and knowledgeable staff.Parking can be a issue but if you park at a wilson parking lot it could be expensive but worth the visit

P.

Great variety of art from many periods. Even a life sized book art work

M.

Gorgeous gallery inside and out. Exhibitions are well organised with easy flow and fantastic art. The feminist exhibition was amazing. The cafe is lovely as well.

S.

Had a rainy day stuck in Auckland so paid a visit to the art gallery - an excellent choice! A great selection of art provided a fantastic afternoon. Would recommend.

I.

Mary Quant expo was fantastic

K.

Interesting place to visit for some culture, free thinking exhibits, and thought provoking art. Excellent place to enjoy this in Auckland city.

M.

Ka wani kē! A beautiful space with thought-provoking and inspiring exhibits and installations. Well worth a visit. I loved the Pasific Sisters exhibition and enjoyed visiting the Aotearoa New Zealand collection. The tapa as you walk in is absolutely stunning! Paiā!

D.

Liked the gallery. Had some interesting art and artists that I had not previously seen. Temporary exhibits of Maori portraits and 19th c water colors were my favorites.

P.

Excellent teaching facilities. Ever changing.

A.

3 floors currently fully open with great exhibits, with free audio guides...the chocolate cake at cafe on the third floor is really worth taking a break between galleries...have fun!

P.

20/07/2019 AD Hello fellow lovers of the arts and natural world. Went to Francis Hodgkins: European Journeys - Sad to see everyone forgot she was a gay!!! Wonderful paintings though - marvellous to see her amongst her european peers but maybe we should interrogate how we frame our artistic ancestors. Eg. Maybe she could of been shown next to contemporary NZ painters - i can think of more than a handful who have been heavily influenced by her style... Loved exiting through a gift shop - feel like maybe your idea of a public is just boomers with money though? Like i'm pretty old but i'm still interested in the now. Peace and love Pliny

M.

Great exhibition Some challenging images Always feel better after a visit

C.

Enjoyed the Gordon Walters exhibition and the actual gallery space is nice. Staff were friendly and it's worth a visit for a sample of the current and past Kiwi art scene.

C.

Went to Denmark Design exhibition. If you enjoy both form and function demonstrated in exquisite design, then get along. It finishes very early Feb 2020.

N.

A beautiful place to see art. Fantastic exhibitions. A beautiful place to see a lot. Get up early and spend the whole day here. Warm and inviting. I always return to see many great things in show.

A.

Last time I've been there in April 2018 at Manifesto installation. The idea was great but realization wasn't. Huge screens were too close to each other, so it was difficult sometimes to hear what's going on on your screen:(

K.

Excellent and highly recommended if you have some time in Auckland. Variety of local and international, classic and contemporary art, paired with regular events for kids. Fantastic

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