Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery

Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery is located in the heart of the city at Pukenamu Queen's Park. It holds a permanent collection of more than 8300 art works of national significance.

About Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery

Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery reopened in November 2024 after a significant redevelopment to earthquake strengthen and restore the 105-year-old heritage-listed Sarjeant Gallery and construct a new state-of-the-art wing –Te Pātaka o Tā Te Atawhai Archie John Taiaroa.

A west-facing atrium now serves as a new entrance, and a carved totara waka walk bridge links the original heritage gallery to the new wing. This new building is dedicated to Tā Te Atawhai Archie John Taiaroa KNZM, who was a loved and respected kaumātua and an inspirational leader of the Whanganui people.

The original Sarjeant Gallery was built as a result of a significant bequest to the city of Whanganui by local landowner and farmer Henry Sarjeant, who died in in 1912. The building is built in the shape of a neo-classical Greek cross and is clad in Oamaru stone. It has a 14-foot dome, a natural lighting system and was known as the ‘Rolls Royce of galleries’. The building has significant historic and architectural value to Whanganui and New Zealand.

Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery is recognised as one of the best galleries in regional New Zealand and enhances Whanganui as a place to live and visit. The collection began in 1901, and in the first few decades was focused on 19th and early 20th century British and European works. Since the late 1920s the main focus for collection development has been New Zealand art, both historical and contemporary.

With an ongoing programme of exhibitions and events, Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery is an important community hub open and accessed by all – locals and visitors alike. 

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Opening hours

Gallery: 10am – 5pm
Café: 10am – 4pm
Library: Fridays & Saturdays 1.30 – 4.30pm or by appointment

On Anzac Day the gallery is open from 1pm to 4.30pm. On Christmas Day and Good Friday the gallery is closed.

Gallery services

Services provided by the gallery include:

• free access to the gallery and artworks for the general public, the artistic community, students and visitors to Whanganui
• a relevant program of quality exhibitions, forums and events
• educational services to schools in and around the area
• advocacy for art and cultural matters
• complete digital access to the entire collection via Explore the Collection
• developing and maintaining Whanganui’s precious taonga, including the collection
• adding value to the community through prudent and well-informed management and stewardship of resources
• maintenance of the heritage building to preserve its architectural significance and status
• Sarjeant Gallery cafe and shop
• Gordon H Brown Library and reading room

• dedicated event spaces and meeting rooms available for public hire.

Location

4 Pukenamu Drive, Whanganui 4500  View Map

-39.9312185,175.0533243

4 Pukenamu Drive , Whanganui 4500

4 Pukenamu Drive , Whanganui 4500

Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery