Latest News

Read the latest news from our e-newsletter The Inside Look

Inside Look: March | Poutū-te-rangi 2026

Inside Look: February | Huitānguru 2026

Inside Look: January | Kohitātea 2026

Inside Look: December | Hakihea 2025

The Inside Look: November | Whiringa-ā-rangi 2025

Special announcements

April 2026: Finalists announced for Adam Portraiture Award 2026

January 2026: New Chair of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Trust

July 2025: New Zealand Portrait Gallery Appoints Brian Wood As Director

December 2023: Tribute to Sir Michael Hardie Boys

June 2023: Tribute to Dr. Keith Ovenden ONZM

September 2022: He Riri Awatea: Filming the New Zealand Wars and the Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II

March 2021: Tribute to Avenal McKinnon

Follow what’s been happening on our social media:

The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata acknowledges the passing of leading New Zealand figurative, expressionist artist Philip Trusttum. He is known particularly for his large works full of energy, colour and vigour, inspired by the ev

A look back at the People's Choice Award winner from the 2024 Adam Portraiture Award...

Jasmine Middlebrook's captivating portrayal of her two sons in the oil on canvas artwork 'Golden Sun Up''.

"I seek to capture the dynamic relationship betw

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening of Salome: An Angel of History, the latest solo exhibition from Yuki Kihara.

Inspired by the 1886 photograph “Samoan Half Caste”, Kihara uses photography, video and sculpture-lik

Our monthly Life Drawing session returns tomorrow at 2pm. Bring your creativity and settle in for a great session! Limited spots so arrive early to get a seat.

For more info about how these sessions work check out the link in bio.

This self‑portrait by Maurice Bennett, created entirely from toast, is a crowd favourite from our current 2025 Liz Stringer Curatorial Intern exhibition A Horse Walks Into A Bar: Humour and Portraiture in Aotearoa.

Curated by Matthew Whiteman, the e

Today we open the new solo exhibition of Yuki Kihara - Salmoe: An Angel of History.

In this exhibition Kihara explores Pacific history through her alter-ego Salome. Inspired by the 1886 photograph “Samoan Half Caste”, Kihara uses photogr

Are you our next Adam Portraiture Award winner? There is only one month left to enter our 2026 competition and be in to win $30,000!

For more info see link in bio.

[image: Irene Ferguson, The Blue Girl, 2007, oil on canvas.]

Throwback to our 2022 Adam Portraiture Award winner, a vibrant self portrait by Jessica Gurnsey entitled 'Lady Day' (named after a Lou Reed song on the album which is pinned to the wall behind her). At just 18 years old at the time of entry, she is

Join Dr April K. Henderson, Dr Peter Brunt and Yuki Kihara for a panel discussion facilitated by exhibition curator Jaenine Parkinson.

Saturday 21 February
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata

More info via the link

In partnership with Dementia Wellington, New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata are hosting a series of dementia-friendly art classes facilitated by Hester Paul. This programme will run weekly for six weeks on Mondays from 10.30am-12pm - ou