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Museums and galleries

The Suter, Te Aratoi o Whakatu

The Suter, Te Aratoi o Whakatu is one of New Zealand’s oldest established public art galleries. The collection includes historical and contemporary works by Nelson and New Zealand artists. A lively programme of exhibitions showcases national and local visual arts, complemented with floortalks and events; school groups are inspired through hands on arts education programmes and the after school Suter Kids Club.

The Suter Café has an outlook over the picturesque Queen’s Gardens, there is quality Nelson arts and craft in The Suter store and art house movies at The Suter Theatre, all part of the complex situated between Albion Square and Queen’s Gardens on Bridge Street.

World of WearableArtTM and Classic Cars Museum

The WOW® Gallery celebrates the originality and creativity of the Montana World of WearableArtTM Awards Show, which ‘takes art off the wall and on to the moving body’ and enables works of art to perform onstage. The gallery provides an opportunity to see creations from the annual awards performance in a theatrical atmosphere with music and lighting.

The Classic Car Gallery is a tribute to automotive design and performance, with themed sets and feature exhibitions.

The complex also includes the Reflections Gallery, Museum Shop and Café. Open 7 days 10am - 5pm.

Nelson Provincial Museum, Pupuri Taonga ō Te Tai Ao

The Nelson Provincial Museum opened in the central city in 2005, showcasing the natural and human history of Te Tau Ihu (Top of the South). The permanent regional exhibition is the gateway to the other museums and art galleries in Nelson Tasman, and there is an exhibitions gallery for touring shows.

At the museum’s Isel Park research facility in Stoke the public can access one of New Zealand’s largest regional photographic collections (1860 onwards), as well as archives relating to the settlement of the region over the past thousand years.

Murchison Museum

The Murchison Museum holds records, images and a newsreel video of the aftermath of the severe 1929 earthquake, as well as a fascinating historical record of gold mining and the town’s pioneer history.

Motueka Museum

The Motueka Museum features displays relating to the history of settlement in the area, farming and the tobacco industry, as well as running regular exhibitions and displays on special topics.

Takaka Museum

The Takaka Museum, in the heritage building that was once the town’s Post Office, has a comprehensive collection featuring local history including trade, iron works and explorer Abel Tasman, plus exhibition space for feature exhibitions.

Other regional museums

Regional museums offer mainly historical displays in Rockville, Havelock and Murchison. There is a steam and transport museum at Pigeon Valley, Wakefield and a Heritage Centre that has recently opened next to the Collingwood Museum.

Dealer Galleries

Red, Catchment and the Rutherford Gallery in the city offer regular exhibitions by emerging and significant local and national artists, while The Refinery has a more community based focus. The Refinery ArtSpace features contemporary work by emerging and community artists and is also the home of Arts Council Nelson, which offers arts information for visitors. 3 Halifax Street, Ph (03) 548 4640. Fishbowl Gallery at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in Alton Street for student and contemporary work. The region has numerous other art and craft galleries and studios.

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