Have you ever wondered what daily life might have looked like for Sister Lawrence (Julia B. Lynch)? Or the difference between a sister and a nun?  Or how the lives of women within the Sisters of Mercy have evolved from the 1900s to today?  Join Sister Natalie as she shares stories and insights into the life of a sister and helps us envision what an average day may have been like for Julia B. Lynch—Sister Lawrence. 

Image: Julia Lynch, Self-portrait, c.1924, private collection.

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

Join us as we farewell the 2025 Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award exhibition in Pōneke and announce the winner of the $2,500 Forsyth Barr People's Choice Award, for the most popular artwork as chosen by exhibition visitors. 

Nau mai haere mai, join us for a wānanga on what it means to be a young tangata whenua artist working and creating in Aotearoa. Facilitated by Curator and Artist Israel Randell who will be joined by ringatoi Aroha Matchitt-Millar, Enjoy Curator Brooke Pou and Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award 2025 winner Jazmin Tainui Mihi Paget-Knebel.

Image: Jazmin Tainui Mihi Paget-Knebel (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Whakatohea, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine), Taniwha Chasers, 2024

Join 2025 Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award Highly Commended ringatoi Shannon Te Rangihaeata Clamp as he teaches how to identify and create different iwi tiki face styles using specific mātauranga-a-iwi and hapū, as well as practice and learn the meaning of carving patterns. By the end of the session, you will have created your own small tiki face on wood using the same technique Shannon uses in his mahi toi.

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! $10 unwaged | $20 waged.

Image: Shannon Te Rangihaeata Clamp (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Koata), Te Rangihaeata and Te Rangitopeora, 2024

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

Join us to celebrate the life and legacy of Julia B. Lynch—Sister Lawrence—one of Aotearoa’s most beloved portrait artists. This special gathering, facilitated by St Mary’s Old Girls’ Association President Judy Houlahan, invites friends, family, former students and admirers to share stories and reflections.

Image: Julia B Lynch, Carol Ann Henderson (later Armstrong), (1962), Private Collection

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

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