Whangārei Art Trust Integration

Whangārei Art Trust is integrating its two entities - the Whangārei Art Museum and the Hundertwasser Art Centre - into one vibrant hub for arts, culture, and tourism at the Town Basin.

This will mean that we can offer Whangārei District residents free entry to both the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Whangārei Art Museum.

Local residents will enjoy complimentary admission to explore the Hundertwasser Art Centre, Wairau Māori Art Gallery, and the Afforested Roof.

All future Whangārei Art Museum rotating exhibitions will be hosted within the Hundertwasser Art Centre building and will remain accessible to the public for free or for a koha donation.

This amalgamation builds on the collective strengths of both teams, connecting operations, improving collaboration, and securing a financially sustainable future for the Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO).

By relocating Whangārei Art Museum's exhibition space into the Hundertwasser building, the Trust is also freeing up $230,000 per year in high-value Town Basin real estate, returning valuable rental income potential to the Whangārei District Council. Whangārei Art Museum's permanent art collection will remain securely housed in specialised, climate-controlled storage.

Whangārei Art Trust Chairperson Bill Shepherd highlights the vision for this integration:

"By combining the Whangārei Art Museum and Hundertwasser Art Centre, the Whangārei Art Trust has a strong operating budget to run the integrated organisation, supported by reduced rental costs and other overheads. The purpose is broader than short-term cost reduction. A key objective is to establish a financially sustainable organisation, while also improving strategic alignment, strengthening visitor and community outcomes, and creating a strong platform for arts, culture and tourism in Whangārei."

A new Chief Executive is being appointed to provide single senior leadership and organisation-wide accountability. Recruitment for this role will be advertised in October.

The wider transition will occur in stages under the direction of the incoming Chief Executive. No changes will be made to any other staff roles until after the new CE commences, likely in the new year.

The Trust is working closely with all key partners - particularly the Board and staff of the Wairau Māori Art Gallery - to thoughtfully accommodate three distinct exhibition spaces within the building.

Our Economic & Community Impact

In its first four years, despite navigating COVID-19 lockdowns, Cyclone Gabrielle, and Brynderwyn Highway closures, the Hundertwasser Art Centre has welcomed over 200,000 visitors. It continues to be a major driver for Northland's economy, contributing an estimated $7 million annually in ongoing economic impact.

Whangārei District Council has supported the Centre through operating grants, including a final $480,000 operational grant for the 2025/26 year. With Council operational funding confirmed to end in June 2027, this integration establishes a commercial, self-sustaining model that protects these vital cultural assets for generations to come.

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