After two years of closure and transformation, Toi Tauranga Art Gallery is reopening its doors on November 15, unveiling a completely reimagined visitor experience, fresh exhibitions, and a renewed focus on local and indigenous creativity.

At the new Masonic Park entrance, visitors are greeted by the Mauri Stones – a large piece of pounamu and two pieces of obsidian from Tuhūa (Mayor Island), resting in water — an invitation to connect, touch, and begin their journey through art.

Mauri Stones at the entrance to Toi Tauranga Art Gallery. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Inside, the new gallery store showcases regional artists, designers, and makers.

“When you visit another city, you want to buy something from the region,” gallery director Sonya Korohina said. “We’ve championed as much from around the Bay of Plenty as possible.”

New flow and purpose

The gallery’s redesign has reoriented the entrance to face the city’s emerging cultural precinct.

“It means the gallery now opens up onto the precinct,” Korohina said.

“When the library opens next year and the museum in 2028, visitors will be able to move seamlessly between them.”

Acrylic on wood sculptures by Darcy Nicholas in his ‘‘Land of My Ancestors’ exhibition which spans nearly six decades of practice. Photo / David Hall

The revamped layout also includes a creativity centre for school programmes and community workshops, a new exhibition space – the Meldrum Gallery – and improved accessibility features such as large-font wall texts, noise-cancelling headphones, and magnifying glasses.

A café, Breadhead, run by Brent and Kate Beamish, has opened beside the gallery, creating what Korohina calls “a much more pleasant experience – people can spend time in the gallery, have coffee, and return for more”.

Reopening exhibitions

The first exhibition to greet visitors is ‘Whakairo’, a large-scale augmented reality installation by Kereama Taepa of Tauranga Moana. Using AR technology, Taepa explores the origins of Māori carving, inspired by the way larvae burrow through wood.

“For our people, carving is about emulating the worm,” Korohina said. “You’ll see those movements come to life through your phone or one of our devices.”

Taepa’s work fills the Craigs Investment Partners Gallery (formerly the Atrium), alongside historical and contemporary pieces including ‘Amo’, a carving from the 1884 wharenui Tamapahore. Nearby, exhibitions by Matthew Harris, Tyrone Te Waa, and Kaylene Whiskey extend the cultural inheritance and identity.

Toi Tauranga Art Gallery director Sonya Korohina in the Glausiuss Gallery, where the ‘Old Friends’ exhibition is on show. Photo / David Hall.

Upstairs in the Glausiuss Gallery, ‘Old Friends’, curated by Dr Penelope Jackson, revisits Toi Tauranga Art Gallery’s own collection of portraiture. Works by Mark Braunias, Edward Bullmore, Nigel Brown, Vanessa Reed, Robin White, Venetta Miles, Doreen McNeill and Betty Wishart highlight decades of artistic evolution and personal connection.

Next door, the new Meldrum Gallery debuts with ‘Glimmer’, a contemporary jewellery show featuring Vanessa Arthur, Moniek Schrijer, and Australia’s Meredith Turnbull.

“We’re using it because it’s an intimate space, to show design work,” Korohina said. “And in this instance, jewellery.”

The 3000 x 1800 acrylic on canvas work ‘Lepo’ is by Samoan artist Vaimaila Urale and brings together Polynesian design and the standardised symbols found on computer keyboards. Photo / David Hall.

The long gallery upstairs hosts Pusi Urale, the 87-year-old Samoan painter known for her vibrant pointillist style, combining colourful Samoan patterns with abstract figures.

Alongside her is daughter Vaimaila Urale, who reinterprets traditional Samoan patterns using computer keyboard symbols.

At the far end, ‘Land of My Ancestors’ by Darcy Nicholas spans nearly six decades of artistic practice, featuring drawings, paintings, carvings, and jewellery exploring Māori identity, land, and memory.

Acrylic works by Darcy Nicholas in his ‘Land of My Ancestors’ exhibition which spans nearly six decades of practice. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Hidden within the building is ‘Closet History’, a whimsical art treasure hunt for children and adults by Tania Lewis-Rickard and Tawhai Rickard. Lightboxes and miniature sculptures are tucked inside the walls, creating what Korohina calls “enchanting and curious scenes ready to be discovered.”

Community reconnected

Toi Tauranga closed in October 2023 for renovations that Korohina said could have taken much longer. “I’m really grateful we could reopen after two years,” Korohina said. “It’s like rediscovering an old friend. When you reacquaint yourself with an old friend, everything’s familiar and some things feel like they’ve changed as well.”

For locals, the most visible change is the new entrance. “Some may be a little disoriented,” she said, “but the reorientation means the building functions a lot better”.

The Lanu Mamanu – Colourful Patterns exhibition upstairs at Toi Tauranga Art Gallery has works by mother and daughter Samoan artists Pusi Urale and Vaimaila Urale. Photo / David Hall.

The reopening marks the return of the Bay of Plenty’s only publicly funded regional art gallery, a milestone for a city increasingly known for its creative energy.

“We’ve got great spaces like The Incubator and Matter Gallery,” Korohina said, “and Toi Tauranga offers another level.”

Diversity, inclusion, discovery

Programming at Toi Tauranga spans 18 to 24 months, designed to balance media, culture, perspectives and artists’ career stages.

“We work with a large matrix,” Korohina said.

“Sometimes visitors will find something that challenges them, and sometimes they’ll find something they love. Over time, there’s something for everyone.”

Darcy Nicholas’ exhibition ‘Land of My Ancestors’ has drawings, paintings, jewellery and carvings spanning nearly six decades of practice. Photo / David Hall.

Accessibility and inclusion have been a key focus, with large text, quiet spaces and sensory support.

Visitors can also listen to exhibition audios online while exploring the galleries, and the new creativity centre offers workshops for all ages.

A place to gather

Beyond exhibitions, Toi Tauranga will function as a multipurpose event space for special occasions, product launches, and corporate gatherings.

“We’re really excited to reopen,” Korohina said. “We have a new team, new spaces, and we’ll recalibrate as we go along, to ensure things work well.”

Toi Tauranga Art Gallery will open seven days a week, 10am to 4pm, except some public holidays.