The New Zealand Portrait Gallery, also known by its Māori name Te Pūkenga Whakaata, is the national gallery devoted to portraiture. It shows both painted and photographic portraits of notable New Zealanders, so a visit becomes a way of meeting the people who have shaped the country through their faces as much as through their work.
The gallery is found at Shed 11 on Queens Wharf in Wellington, on the city's waterfront in the Wellington Region. Its harbourside setting makes it easy to combine with a walk along the water or a stop in the central city.
What you will see
- A permanent collection of portraits that gives a sense of who has been recorded and how they were depicted.
- Rotating exhibitions that bring new selections and themes, so the displays can differ from one visit to the next.
- Painted and photographic works, which show how the portrait has changed as a form across different media.
Planning your visit
The gallery suits anyone interested in New Zealand's history, culture and people, as well as visitors who simply enjoy looking closely at portraits. Because the exhibitions change, it is worth checking what is on before you travel. For details, you can call the gallery on +64 4 472 2298.
Its waterfront location means the visit fits naturally into a day exploring Wellington, the national capital, whose harbour, cafés and other museums are close by.
