This store is great because it doesn't cater to the 'kitschy' side of New Zealand art and design as…read moremuch as some souvenir type stores like it do. It's more of an Art Gallery rather than a store. And affordable too. I love artist Tony Cribbs 'Adventures of Tin man' series and always like to pick something up whenever I see one in a store or gallery. They are just too cute. And funny as well. I always get compliments on them whenever I have people over to mine. They just exemplify the New Zealand sense of humor so well. I like the fact that Mana also has prints of a lot of their artworks so if you can't afford the actual original artwork itself there are still opportunities for you to own a slice of something. I'm currently crushing on one of their artworks, one of a Maori girl/princess wrapped in a traditional woven cloak. I may have to settle on the print of this one myself!

If you're looking for some absolutely beautiful local art, jewellery or gifts for someone visiting…read moreNew Zealand to take home with them or even to send to someone abroad, this place should be your one stop shop. They've got a fairly small but carefully curated collection of glassware, paintings and sculptures alongside jewellery and cards and other nick-nacks. My favourite things in here are the necklaces. Long thin silver chains with bird and flower pendants, which were gorgeous and really unusual. Things like this range from around $40 up to $400, so you're sure to find something no matter what your budget. I've been looking for a Green Stone necklace for my partner for quite some time and have never been able to find one that I really love, but the ones in Mana are the nicest I've seen in Auckland. Plus they were playing Ben Howard on the stereo when I walked in, which just made me like it even more.

Gorgeous Art gallery in the heart of Auckland! My husband and I enjoyed strolling the gallery…read moreduring a recent trip. I really enjoyed their Manet and Picasso pieces. If you have a few hours to spare, there's a really nice outdoor space to sit and read a book!

We had just finished eating on Queen Street and were wandering around the area when we stumbled…read moreupon this art gallery museum. We decided to walk in and I'm glad we did. The first floor is free and features several exhibitions, so we took our time roaming around. One of the main exhibits focused on Māori art, and we spent about an hour exploring the pieces and learning more about Māori history in New Zealand. It was genuinely informative and beautifully presented. There was also a display by a Korean artist on the first floor. I don't quite remember the theme, but the design of the house-like structure had some Chinese influences, which made it visually interesting. Overall, if you have some time to spare and want to cool off from the scorching sun, this gallery is definitely worth a visit. Bonus points for clean restrooms, too!

Yesterday I was on a mission to view as many art galleries as I could in the city, honestly I…read moredidn't get to many, considering the size of Auckland their isn't actually a great deal around. I have heard that Wellington is the 'art capital' which I look forward to visiting one day. So, Lonely Dog Gallery I heard about you from a previous Yelp review and decided to go pay you a visit. The work here is thematic, comical, fine art and well presented. It is obviously in a specialised market which I am pleased to see does good business - I took note of quite a few red dots (art that has been bought). Plus being in such a good location next to Britomart's transport centre in the hub of the city must mean a lot of tourism flow through. I was also relieved to find it easy to get to, unlike some other inner city galleries I couldn't even find the bloody door to get inI d Although I didn't but any of the art I did buy one of the cards of the art, for my eldest sister in mind, (a big fan of dogs), $5.00 each or you can buy them in packs. They have a description on the back which added to the appeal.

Lonely Dog recently moved down Customs Street a few hundred metres closer to Queen Street…read more Otherwise, it's still the exact same intriguing spot for a quick look as it's always been. For those that don't know, Lonely Dog is a sort of art phenomenon started by Kiwi artist Ivan Clarke who one day started adding human-esque dogs into his dramatic landscape works. It's a sort of weird comic book meets fine landscape art mix, and as such it makes for some pretty surreal stuff with all sorts of symbolic parallels drawn between the dogs and reality. Can't say I've ever bought anything from here, but it's a fun place to linger for a few minutes for a look if you're in the area.

It's the fact that Parnell Gallery is not arrogant or assuming, in staff, in art and inside, that…read moremakes it such a hit art gallery. The suburb of Parnell does have a clichéd "hoitytoity" image of older, more wealthy denizens. Parnell Gallery is less conceited and more light hearted than it's sober neighbours. While still looking classy, they throw their doors open and welcome you to enjoy art, to get excited about bold colours and take pride in New Zealand artists. They display a range of artistic styles and art forms from prints to statuettes. They share the Parnell vista with you from their balcony. They have FUN with the contemporary art, offering occasional hands-on experiences with the artists, as demonstrated again by this years White Night.

If you are engrossed in the flashy, chic shops of Parnell (or have your head in your iPhone) you…read morewill miss the private little gallery of Alvin Pankhurst. You don't want to miss it. Aim for Parnell's Post Office or Starbucks and you're in the right area. Down a narrow alley is the Pankhurst Studio Gallery, one small room saturated in emotion. His art speaks of loss and constantly passing time, heritage and power, often with strong Maori connotations. It's art to empower a wall or silently mourn, for galleries and homes alike. There are sketches, prints and staff well acquainted with the art. The artist himself has numerous awards for his work over the years- don't overlook this gallery.

Outstanding service and selection of gifts. I purchased a print and love the story behind it…read more Staff are awesome and will bend over backwards to help you.

Wonderful shop with artifacts, green stones, pottery, wall art and much more - a gem close to…read moreWestfield mall. Fern was a great help And very attentive. a must in Auckland!

The Gow Langsford Gallery is a must-see for locals and art-loving visitors to Auckland…read more The Gallery showcases contemporary local and international artists, and is often involved in international art events. Long-established as one of Auckland's most prominent commerical art spaces, the Gallery is set over two locations. The Lorne Street home of Gow Langsford is the larger space, and focuses on the Gallery's staple of large-scale sculpture and painting, but both are worth exploring, and sometimes exhibitions are shared between the two. Together the two spaces of Gow Langsford contribute enormously to Auckland's Art Precinct, and the Gallery also offers an impressive online stockroom (there's a link on the website) that offers big names like Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, Michael Parekowhai, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons.

There must be something I am missing about this gallery, so many great reviews, but when I went in…read moreearlier this year nothing impressed me all that that much. Actually some of the art even put me right off, for example there was a small sculpture made from metal, twisted into two arches and was not much bigger than the size of a helmet, priced for over $2000. This should not have shocked me, I have seen lots of expensive modern art in my time, but it does disappoint. Poor art overpriced gives art and artists a bad name amongst many other factors. I was personally involved in the visual art industry for several years and the amount of times I had to defend the importance of art. Even in my first year of art school I recall being very young and optimistic and having a young soldier whom I had just met in a club when out with friends say (not ask), "well, what is that doing for the country?". I was stunned with his honesty and didn't know how to respond at the time. That man may have been ignorant but he reflects the view of many people, that we can't be ignorant of ourselves. If we want to value and celebrate the arts in our society we should reflect this through the art itself, and in our convictions behind the art we make, that I can now say with confidence.