Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery

Named after the Austrian avant-garde artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who moved to the Bay of Islands in his later years, this arts centre in Northland's Whangārei opened its doors in February 2022.

Two galleries make up the centre. One includes the only permanent display of Hundertwasser works outside of Austria, while the other – the Wairau Māori Art Gallery – is New Zealand’s first public gallery dedicated to exhibiting contemporary Māori art. Curated and directed entirely by Māori, this gallery was inspired by Hundertwasser’s strong attachment to the Māori people he lived around, and their connection with living landscapes.

The building was designed by Hundertwasser himself and is worth the visit alone, adorned with mosaic tilings, ceramic columns and trees sprouting from the roof, reflecting the artist’s love of nature.