After two years of closure and extensive renovations, Toi Tauranga Art Gallery is set to reopen its doors with a completely transformed space and renewed mission. The Bay of Plenty's only publicly funded regional art gallery has undergone a comprehensive redesign that includes a new entrance, enhanced accessibility features, and expanded exhibition spaces designed to serve both the local community and visiting art enthusiasts.
Visitors entering through the new Masonic Park entrance are immediately greeted by the Mauri Stones, a striking installation featuring a large piece of pounamu and two pieces of obsidian from Tuhūa (Mayor Island) resting in water. This welcoming display serves as an invitation for guests to connect, touch, and begin their artistic journey. Gallery Director Sonya Korohina explained that the redesigned entrance has been strategically reoriented to face the city's emerging cultural precinct, allowing for seamless movement between cultural institutions as they develop.
The gallery's transformation includes several major improvements designed to enhance the visitor experience. A new gallery store showcases work by regional artists, designers, and makers, recognizing that visitors from other cities often seek to purchase locally-made items as mementos. "We've championed as much from around the Bay of Plenty as possible," Korohina noted. Additionally, the revamped layout features a creativity center dedicated to school programs and community workshops, along with the new Meldrum Gallery exhibition space.
Accessibility has been a key focus of the renovation, with the gallery implementing large-font wall texts, noise-cancelling headphones, and magnifying glasses to accommodate visitors with different needs. The facility also offers quiet spaces, sensory support, and online audio guides that visitors can access while exploring the galleries. These improvements reflect the gallery's commitment to ensuring that art remains accessible to all community members regardless of their individual requirements.
The reopening features an impressive lineup of exhibitions that celebrate both traditional and contemporary artistic practices. The centerpiece exhibition, "Whakairo," presents a large-scale augmented reality installation by Kereama Taepa of Tauranga Moana. Using cutting-edge AR technology, Taepa explores the origins of Māori carving, drawing inspiration from the way larvae burrow through wood. "For our people, carving is about emulating the worm," Korohina explained. "You'll see those movements come to life through your phone or one of our devices."
Taepa's innovative work fills the Craigs Investment Partners Gallery (formerly the Atrium) alongside historical and contemporary pieces, including Amo, a carving from the 1884 wharenui Tamapahore. Complementing this central exhibition are shows by Matthew Harris, Tyrone Te Waa, and Kaylene Whiskey, which further explore themes of cultural inheritance and identity. These exhibitions demonstrate the gallery's commitment to presenting work that spans different generations and artistic approaches.
Upstairs in the Glausiuss Gallery, the "Old Friends" exhibition, curated by Dr. Penelope Jackson, offers a fresh perspective on Toi Tauranga Art Gallery's own collection of portraiture. The show features works by notable artists including Mark Braunias, Edward Bullmore, Nigel Brown, Vanessa Reed, Robin White, Venetta Miles, Doreen McNeill, and Betty Wishart, highlighting decades of artistic evolution and personal connection within the gallery's permanent collection.
The new Meldrum Gallery debuts with "Glimmer," a contemporary jewelry exhibition featuring works by Vanessa Arthur, Moniek Schrijer, and Australia's Meredith Turnbull. Korohina emphasized the intimate nature of this space, noting, "We're using it because it's an intimate space, to show design work, and in this instance, jewelry." This specialized gallery allows the institution to present smaller-scale works that might be overshadowed in larger exhibition spaces.
A particularly significant exhibition features the work of 87-year-old Samoan artist Pusi Urale, renowned for her vibrant pointillist style that combines colorful Samoan patterns with abstract figures. Displayed alongside her work are pieces by her daughter, Vaimaila Urale, who reinterprets traditional Samoan patterns using computer keyboard symbols, creating a fascinating dialogue between generations and artistic approaches. Vaimaila's large-scale work "Lepo," measuring 3000 x 1800 millimeters on canvas, exemplifies this innovative fusion of Polynesian design with contemporary digital symbols.
At the far end of the long gallery upstairs, "Land of My Ancestors" by Darcy Nicholas presents nearly six decades of artistic practice through drawings, paintings, carvings, and jewelry that explore Māori identity, land, and memory. This comprehensive retrospective demonstrates the gallery's ability to present substantial survey exhibitions that trace an artist's development over an extended period.
Adding an element of playful discovery to the visitor experience, "Closet History" by Tania Lewis-Rickard and Tawhai Rickard creates a whimsical art treasure hunt suitable for both children and adults. Lightboxes and miniature sculptures are tucked inside walls throughout the building, creating what Korohina described as "enchanting and curious scenes ready to be discovered." This interactive element encourages exploration and repeat visits.
The gallery's reopening is further enhanced by the addition of Breadhead, a café operated by Brent and Kate Beamish located adjacent to the gallery. This amenity creates what Korohina called "a much more pleasant experience" where "people can spend time in the gallery, have coffee, and return for more." The café represents part of the gallery's broader strategy to become a destination where visitors can spend extended periods engaging with art and culture.
Looking toward the future, the gallery's strategic positioning within the emerging cultural precinct will become increasingly important. When the new library opens next year and the museum follows in 2028, visitors will be able to move seamlessly between these cultural institutions, creating a comprehensive arts and culture district. This development represents a significant investment in Tauranga's cultural infrastructure and positions the city as an increasingly important destination for arts tourism.
Korohina acknowledged that some longtime visitors may initially feel disoriented by the changes, particularly the new entrance location, but emphasized that "the reorientation means the building functions a lot better." She compared the experience to "rediscovering an old friend," noting that "when you reacquaint yourself with an old friend, everything's familiar and some things feel like they've changed as well."
The gallery's programming strategy spans 18 to 24 months and is designed to balance different media, cultures, perspectives, and artists at various career stages. "We work with a large matrix," Korohina explained. "Sometimes visitors will find something that challenges them, and sometimes they'll find something they love. Over time, there's something for everyone." This approach ensures that the gallery serves both adventurous art enthusiasts and those seeking more familiar artistic experiences.
Beyond its role as an exhibition space, Toi Tauranga will function as a multipurpose venue for special occasions, product launches, and corporate gatherings. This expanded mission reflects the gallery's commitment to serving the broader community and generating additional revenue streams to support its artistic programming. The flexibility of the new spaces allows for various configurations depending on the specific needs of different events.
The gallery will operate seven days a week from 10am to 4pm, except on certain public holidays, ensuring maximum accessibility for both locals and tourists. With its new team, enhanced spaces, and comprehensive programming, Toi Tauranga Art Gallery is positioned to play a central role in the Bay of Plenty's cultural landscape. As Korohina concluded, "We're really excited to reopen. We have a new team, new spaces, and we'll recalibrate as we go along, to ensure things work well."
