Join Julia B Lynch curator Dr Penelope Jackson MNZM for her talk ‘Julia Lynch: New Zealand’s best portrait painter or a gifted amateur?’

As Matariki draws closer we are excited to have Ōtari Raranga Weavers hosting a day of Matariki raranga (weaving) hands-on workshops here at New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata. Sunday 15 June 11.30am-1.30pm (workshop one) and 2pm-4pm (workshop two).

This is a paid workshop; tickets can be purchased from our website or in person at the Gallery Store. Spots are limited, so secure your ticket today!

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our koha monthly life drawing sessions.

Join us as our Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award 2025 Judges, Renata Te Wiata (Waikato, Ngaati Mahuta. Te Arawa, Ngaati Kea, Ngaati Tuaraa), John Walsh (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Irish) and Dr Areta Wilkinson (Kāi Tahu) discuss their prize-winning choices and the process of judging the Award.

You may find Saturday 3 May at New Zealand Portrait Gallery a little different to usual. Drawing on the stories and time period of the characters in Gavin Hurley: Growing Up Remnant Costumes & Co will transport us back to a bygone era.

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our koha monthly life drawing sessions.

Create your own portrait using Gavin Hurley’s unique collage technique.

Image: Gavin Hurley, Boy With Alexander Turnbull’s Beard, 2013, Private Collection Auckland.

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our koha monthly life drawing sessions.

To celebrate pride this year join guest speaker Edward Cowley and exhibition curator Maddie Brooks Gillespie to hear stories from the life and times of Carmen Rupe, and gain a window into her legacy and the fabulous worlds she created.

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our free monthly drawing sessions.

Join Gavin Hurley and New Zealand Portrait Gallery Director Jaenine Parkinson for a free-form discussion on Gavin Hurley: Growing up.

Gavin Hurley, Boy with Grey’s Beard, 2024, collection of the artist.

Join Liz Stringer Curatorial intern Maddie Brooks Gillespie, Chevron Hassett (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine) and Ehsan Hazaveh for a panel discussion on the importance of place in their photography practice and the place of portraiture in the arts landscape of Aotearoa today.

Image of Background Matters exhibition, Jess O'Brien

A twist on our usual Saturday Sittings!

Join Inverlochy Art School teacher Denise Durkin for a FREE creative event inspired by the beautiful work of Toss Woollaston, drawing expressive portraits in ink.

Artwork by Denise Durkin

Image of artist Julia Holden painting Ruby Cumming

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our free monthly drawing sessions.

Join Philip Woollaston and curator Dr Jane Davidson-Ladd to discuss the portraits of Toss Woollaston, New Zealand's first modernist portrait painter.

M T Woollaston, Figures from Life, 1936. Oil and charcoal (627 x 478 mm). Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Colin McCahon, 1954

Join us at The New Zealand Portrait Gallery for Taki Rua Production's Te Kuia me te Pūngāwerewere. These shows will be hosted in our gallery surrounded by the artwork of Robyn Kahukiwa.

We are hosting a 30-minute show at 10 am and a second one at 11:30 am. Please select your time preference and secure your spot bellow.

Image supplied by Taki Rua Productions

Experience A Migrant's Path, a thought-provoking and deeply moving exhibition, through the eyes of the artist, Abhi Chinniah. Enjoy an intimate tour of the artwork followed by a relaxed discussion over cake and coffee.

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our free monthly drawing sessions.

Join Migrant Maharanis for a free, two-hour Zine Making Workshop inspired by Abhi Chinniah's A Migrant’s Path.

With support from Migrant Maharanis and in partnership with Wellington Zine Festival, this workshop will guide you in creating your own collage using thought-provoking prompts to reflect on migrant experiences in Aotearoa. Participants  at the end of the workshop will also be invited to submit their work for a community zine.

Open to all ages, with materials provided by the Gallery. 

This is a FREE workshop; reserve your spot online or at the Gallery Store. 

Poster designed by Migrant Maharanis

Our Robyn Kahukiwa Panel Discussion brings together Brooke Pou (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi), Tehani Buchanan (Ngāti Rupe Makea, Aitutaki, Mitiaro, Mangaia, Kōtirana),  Nikau Hindin, (Ngai Tūpoto, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) and Israel Randell (Rarotonga, Tainui, Ngāti Kahungunu), to reflect on the impact Robyn Kahukiwa’s work has had on their sense of selves, her contribution to te ao Māori and what it means for a new generation to grow up with the works of Robyn Kahukiwa. 

Robyn Kahukiwa, Mahuika, c.1983, Private collection, Wellington

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our free monthly drawing sessions.

Join us for a discussion with artist Abhi Chinniah and team lead of Collections Development at the National Library Ashwinee Pendharkar.

Image: Abhi Chinniah, The Portal, photography. 2024

Join artist Telly Tuita for a mask-making workshop, and create your own mask that connects to your identity,  culture or alter ego!

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our free monthly drawing sessions.

Join Curator Roma Pōtiki, Gallerist Francis McWhannell and Gallery Director Jaenine Parkinson for an engaging discussion about the curatorial process of this exceptional exhibition, sourcing the works from homes and institutions across Aotearoa and the Pacific, and the mana in the Wāhine Toa series uniting again for a new generation. 

Image: Robyn Kahukiwa, Hinetītama, 1980, Te Manawa Art Society & Te Manawa Museums Trust Collections, Palmerston North

Join internationally renowned artist Telly Tuita in conversation with Dowse Art Museum director Karl Chitham for a free ranging talk about themes in Tuita’s current exhibition TONGPOP ARCHETYPES.

Together they will discuss the topics that weave through Tuita’s practice including atua, popular culture and stories related to his life and career from Tonga, to Australia and now in Aotearoa.

Have a go at portraiture in a relaxed setting with our free monthly drawing sessions.

Larry Abreño, After a very long day at work, Painted with Coffee & Watercolour. 2024