The Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua reopened in November 2024 after a decade of closure and a major redevelopment — returning to Pukenamu Queen’s Park in Whanganui with a restored historic building, a new wing, and one of the most significant art collections in regional New Zealand. It attracted over 130,000 visitors in its first year and was named a Top 20 “Best of the World” cultural site by National Geographic in 2024.
Practical Information
| Address | 4 Pukenamu Drive, Pukenamu Queen’s Park, Whanganui |
| Hours | 10am–5pm daily (closed Christmas Day, Good Friday, half-day ANZAC Day) |
| Café | 10am–4pm daily |
| Admission | Check sarjeant.org.nz for current pricing — some exhibitions free |
| Phone | 06 349 0506 |
| in**@**********rg.nz | |
| Parking | Queens Park carpark off Pukenamu Drive |
About the Gallery
The Sarjeant Gallery was originally founded in 1919 from a bequest by Henry Sarjeant, a Whanganui businessman who left his collection and funds to the city. For over a century the original neoclassical building was the gallery’s home — until earthquake strengthening requirements and a vision for expansion led to its closure and a redevelopment that took nearly a decade to complete.
The reopened gallery combines the fully restored original 1919 building with a new contemporary wing named Te Pātaka o Tā Te Atawhai Archie John Taiaroa. Together they house a collection of more than 8,000 works spanning four centuries of European and New Zealand art history — from traditional gilt-framed paintings to contemporary practice across a wide range of media.
The opening exhibition Nō Konei | From Here featured over 200 artworks and was one of the most significant gallery openings in New Zealand in recent years. The redeveloped building has received multiple awards for architecture, design, and engineering since its completion. The on-site café provides a practical base for a full visit to the Queens Park precinct, which also includes the Whanganui Regional Museum and Alexander Heritage & Research Library.
What Visitors Say
The NZ Arts Review described the reopened gallery as a genuinely transformative space — praising the integration of the historic building with the new wing, and calling it one of the most thoughtfully executed regional gallery developments in the country.
Where to Learn More
Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery — Official Website — current and upcoming exhibitions, visit planning, café details, history of the collection and the redevelopment story.
Sarjeant Gallery — Wikipedia — history of the gallery from its 1919 founding through to the 2024 reopening, including the collection and building details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sarjeant Gallery open again?
Yes — it reopened in November 2024 after closing for an extensive earthquake strengthening and redevelopment project that lasted approximately a decade.
Where is the Sarjeant Gallery now located?
Back at its original site — 4 Pukenamu Drive in Pukenamu Queen’s Park, Whanganui. During the redevelopment, a temporary gallery (Sarjeant on the Quay) operated from a riverside location.
What are the Sarjeant Gallery’s opening hours?
10am to 5pm daily, except Christmas Day, Good Friday, and a half day on ANZAC Day.
What does the Sarjeant Gallery collect?
The collection spans over 8,000 works and four centuries of European and New Zealand art — from historical paintings and prints to contemporary New Zealand and international art.
Is there a café at the Sarjeant Gallery?
Yes — an on-site café is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
How significant is the Sarjeant Gallery?
It holds one of the most important regional art collections in New Zealand and was named a Top 20 “Best of the World” cultural site by National Geographic in 2024 following its reopening.
Is there parking at the Sarjeant Gallery?
The Queens Park carpark off Pukenamu Drive provides off-street parking close to the gallery entrance.
For more on Whanganui’s cultural landscape, see the guide to Historical and Cultural Sites in Whanganui. The Whanganui Regional Museum, just steps away in Queens Park, offers free entry and holds the region’s Māori taonga and natural history collections.