WellingtonSee & Do
3 people wearing black, appreciating art works on the white wall inside City Gallery.

City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi

  • Location

    70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington

  • Website

    City Gallery

City Gallery has temporarily moved

City Gallery Wellington has moved its exhibitions to the National Library of New Zealand. It will be back in its home in Te Ngākau Civic Square in 2026. In the meantime, it continues to bring art to Wellington through an exciting exhibition programme. Visit the website for further details.

Wellington’s contemporary art gallery is a dynamic cultural presence. You’ll find exhibitions that delight and challenge.

City Gallery Wellington has been at the forefront of Wellington’s contemporary art scene since its inception in 1980. It has a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events that connect both the local community and the contemporary art community.  The capital’s gallery has an international reputation for showcasing artists at the height of their game. The exhibition schedule balances between artists from Aotearoa and international players.

2 people admiring Hilma af Klint The Secret Paintings, City Gallery Wellington, 2021.

Hilma af Klint ‘The Secret Paintings’, City Gallery Wellington, 2021.

As the country’s only Kunsthalle gallery, City Gallery Wellington doesn’t maintain its own art collection. Instead, it devotes its resources to mounting large-scale special exhibitions, borrowing artworks nationally and internationally. This means its exhibitions are often unique and expansive in scope. It has hosted many international artists’ exhibitions and introduced New Zealand audiences to diverse contemporary art voices. 

Along with showcasing thought-provoking art, the gallery runs regular events and guided tours. To ensure high-quality contemporary art is accessible to all, gallery entry is free. 

City Gallery Wellington’s permanent home is currently closed while buildings around Ngākau Civic Square are being renovated and earthquake strengthened.

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The monument at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is located in, Te Aro, Wellington.

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Exterior of the Wellington Museum, a blue building with a red door.

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Entrance to He Tohu at The National Library of New Zealand.

He Tohu at National Library of New Zealand

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