New Zealand has an abundance of art galleries that are open to the general public. Some showcase modern and contemporary artworks. Others contain famous pieces of historical significance. Knowing the best ones to visit will be useful for tourists who want to visit this nation.

Auckland Art Gallery

The city of Auckland has one of the biggest assortments of art galleries in the entire country. The oldest one is Auckland Art Gallery. It contains over 15,000 works to check out. Many of them are considered extremely important to both national and international culture. Some of them are as old as the 11th century. There are also more recent ones for visitors to discover. The majority of the artworks are paintings but many sculptures occupy the gallery space as well.

City Gallery Wellington

This is the place to go for those who want to experience more eclectic types of art. The gallery is located at the centre of Civic Square in Wellington. It was established in 1989 and since then it has developed a strong reputation for its innovative exhibitions. This includes work from artists residing in New Zealand, as well as those abroad. It has a permanent exhibit called Fault which focuses on the city’s recurring earthquakes.

Christchurch Art Gallery

This is another gallery that has been affected by earthquakes. It was once a hub for civil defence workers who had to deal with quake damage. It was only reopened to the general public in 2015. The Christchurch Art Gallery is the place to go for large collections of South Island art. The building has been noted for its spaciousness, making it ideal for big scale exhibits.

Dunedin Public Art Gallery

Fine art is the main focus of this revered gallery. European painters such as Rembrandt and Monet have their work housed here. Iconic Japanese prints and local work from the 19th century can also be found. The amount of eras that this gallery covers is very extensive. There is something for everyone to enjoy. The interior design of the building itself has been praised for its striking beauty. Families with young children can take advantage of education programmes during holiday periods.

Tauranga Art Gallery

In recent years, New Zealand inspired street art has become more recognised and legitimised. The Tauranga Art Gallery reflects how important this new art form is. There have even been original displays from the most famous street artist of all time, Banksy. But this organisation is not solely concerned with well known figures. It also encourages local young people to contribute their own work to the gallery space.

The Sarjeant Gallery

400 years worth of national art history can be found in this Whanganui establishment. It is a vast archive of mixed media, both old and new. Paintings, sculptures, photographs and ceramics take up the bulk of the collection. It was established in 1919 by a local man named Henry Sarjeant.

Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

Community investor Monica Brewster founded this gallery in 1970. It contains many forms of Maori and Pacific art. The contemporary pieces are often thought provoking and reflect national identity. A film exhibit called the Len Lye Centre is housed here. People who find themselves in New Plymouth should certainly check this institution out.