Hundertwasser Art Centre

It is the conception of artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who lived near Kawakawa for 30 years, and was first designed in 1993.

The project proved controversial and was considered and rejected a number of times until it was approved by a binding referendum in June 2015.

[1][2] The centre opened on 20 February 2022 with the inaugural exhibition, Puhi Ariki, curated by Nigel Borell.

[6] The building also features a learning centre, a theatre, café, shop and an afforested roof containing rare native species.

[8] The gallery has a charitable trust board and operates independently and autonomous to the Hundertwasser Art Centre.

[8] The Austrian artist-architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who lived in the Bay of Islands for 30 years, designed an art centre for Whangārei in 1993.

[18]In 2014, however, newly elected councillors voted "That all previous motions and/or commitments on the Hundertwasser Art Centre be rescinded.

The four proposals selected for further consideration included a revised proposal[20] for the Hundertwasser Arts Centre (renamed Hundertwasser Wairau Māori Art Centre) by a newly formed trust called Prosper Northland.

Prime Minister John Key supported the project and indicated he thought Tourism New Zealand should assist with funding.