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.

If you have artistic flare but not the traditional type, then come on down to 85 Cavendish Drive…read more(in the hub with Big Save Furniture, PK Furniture and Reece), there is a massively long drive way that backs onto Chipmunks which has fantastic graffiti art all over it. Graffiti artists from all around the world have come here and painted magnificent pieces, showing off their talents and skills which have made them known world wide. Before meeting my boyfriend never was I into this art, but it really is quite unique. These big bold pieces are done with spray cans and spraying techniques. I would never have known that those fine straight lines were all done freehand. It really is an art and far from the horrible eye sore tagging which gives graffiti a bad name. This local flavour is totally worth coming to view. It gives so much character to the area. I truly am a fan!

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!

A free museum? Sign us up. We did the kid games and kid packet in the first floor exhibit on the…read moreMāori and local culture. What a story and history lesson with modern art approaches. The staff were so kind and recommended which exhibits to try and the we just spent an hour or two in the clay zone making our own art! This is well worth an afternoon and our next trip will include visit to the cafe when the rain hits!

This name is deceiving, or perhaps I am just foolish! I have previously walked past this place and…read morehad always thought it must be 'upstairs' and would go in next time when I "have more time". Now I have made that time and I am glad I did. Downstairs is housed this great little community gallery. They change the exhibit every month and it is made up of an eclectic mix of work for purchase by established and emerging artists. The focus is on community and is linked to the Titirangi Community Arts Council. I was pleased to hear that sales have been up since moving to New Lynn in September 2012 and although they are only there temporarily for the next two years whilst Lopdell House gets a new look I am sure good things may come out of this relocation.

The West Coast Gallery is one of those places that you can't miss when visiting Piha - it's a…read moreregistered charitable trust, the West Coast Community Arts Trust, that supports local artists who reside in the Western region of Auckland. The gallery is situated in the old Piha Fire Station, converted after the new fire station was built next door. Filled with a wide range of artistic items, from oil and watercolour paintings, to sculptures, jewellery, cards, pottery and photography. A great place to discover well known West Coast artists, such as Dean Buchanan and Helga Strewe, to less known and upcoming artists. Regular new exhibitions, that capture the true spirit and essence of the west coast and its people. It's great to know that the money that you're spending at the gallery will go directly to benefit the artists themselves, and not just paying a huge mark up that you would pay in galleries closer to the city. Very well priced. Local roots, run by locals, for the benefit of the local community. Worth supporting!

This gallery is situated in beautiful surrounds, a very fitting place for an art gallery!…read moreI was surprised to hear that they are the only one in Piha, I figured there would be loads since Piha is such a famous destination so close to Auckland's CBD, popular with locals and tourists. So lucky them! They can cash in on the art trade all to themselves at this gallery! And it is a gallery well worth supporting, they are run by a non-profit Trust (West Coast Community Arts Trust). Any West Auckland Artist is welcome to place in an application to exhibit here, just follow the links and advice on the website (great website too guys!) and you can go solo or in amongst a group, obviously your proposal would have to state all those details. I haven't created a large body of work/art in a while, but this gallery makes me want to get all creative, maybe...

Popped in here during a trip to Devonport. Love the selection. And the staff are extremely helpful,…read morefriendly and willing to tell you all the little details about their selection. And if I'm not mistaken, they can ship your purchases worldwide. Loved this place!

From the owner: Peter Raos makes fine handblown art glass and sells these beautiful objects at his gallery.read more

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.

I recently popped into this gallery to check out a print I saw as I was passing by and was warmly…read moregreeted and chatted to but not overly pushed around (sometimes rare when it comes to places like this) so I stayed for a good look around. They have quite a wide range of contemporary art: painting, prints, jewellery, glass-art, and all by NZ artists too. If I'd actually been in the market for something (not just tyre-kicking) there was tons to choose from at a range of price-points. The gallery is directly across from the ferry building in Devonport so easy to access by ferry or bus and if you can't make it there then I'm told everything in the shop is also on their website - how handy!