Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery - Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery 81 Dent Street

So nice went with the family, roof garden amazing, and the galleries inside are so cool, so much art from hunterwasser and local artists. Beautiful building adding to the arty town that is Whangārei.

The recently opened Hunertwasser Art Centre took us back to Vienna where we had visited in the 80's. It is a quirky beautiful building and will hopefully attract visitors to Northland. We had dinner at Acqua, the restaurant in the Centre and couldn't fault it. Absolutely delicious!

Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery is an original Hundertwasser architecture project. Absolute rationalism, geometric straight lines and the uniformity of modern architecture is abandoned in favour of new values like uniqueness, romanticism, individuality, creativity, especially creativity in harmony with nature. Hundertwasser created houses in which the creativity of nature meets human creativity. In keeping with his philosophy, the Hundertwasser Art Centre restores territories to nature with spontaneous vegetation, tree tenants and an afforested roof. German architect Heinz M. Springmann and Grant Harris of HB Architecture in New Zealand brought to life Hundertwasser’s vision. Skilled artisans, craftspeople, engineers, builders, technical experts and community leaders worked together for two years to realise the unique structure. Led by Hātea Art Precinct Trust, they overcame a series of impossible obstacles along the way, including a construction cost overrun and the impact of Covid-19. Ecological sustainability is a central tenet of the construction, which alongside enduring new materials from New Zealand and Europe, uses 40,000 recycled bricks, 1600 cubic metres of recycled native timber of the original building, 5,000 recycled pavers and 3,000m2 of locally crafted tiles. Alongside his famous public toilets in Kawakawa, the Hundertwasser Art Centre is the only other example of Hundertwasser’s architecture in the southern hemisphere. The launch of the Hundertwasser Art Centre realises a shared dream that has transformed the lives of everyone who participated in its creation. The visionary architectural project was made possible through the commitment of a determined community over many years of fundraising and it is supported by the Hundertwasser Non-Profit Foundation in Vienna.

I flew up for this permanent exhibition, he says some pretty awesome things and his art like me is colourful and very stunning. I really really encourage everyone to go see this wonderful display and the architecture is superb. Whangarei you have done yourselves do very proud.

What an awesome new addition to Whangarei. Was really stoked to come back home to Whangarei recently and see that this has finally been built. Amazing architecture and a real awesome vibe. Refreshes the basin even more and would be amazing to see more influence through the city. Didn't get the chance to go inside this time around but just wandering the exterior was awesome. Will be back.

Well done Whangarei for making this building! It is fabulous. The staff are really enthusiastic and friendly and passionate - whether they are in reception, on the roof top garden, in the exhibition area, or recommending and serving you in the really great Cafe within. Highly recommend stopping here.

Spent Saturday to visit and was not disappointed.Hundertwasser personal documents are very interesting read. The rooftop garden is something I could envision in future housing. Great views of Whangarei from the Cupola..there is a chair assist to get to the Cupola. We went to Aqua Restaurant but due to its popularity there was a wait line so opted to go to one of the restaurants out in the outdoor plaza. Will definitely go back again.

A welcome addition to Whangārei, has already uplifted the area and the architecture is interesting, detailed and worth a stop. The exhibition was fantastic to learn about his life and also the Maori Gallery essential to reflect the local community and history of NZ as well as a permanent space to exhibit. Definitely worth a stop. Staff were welcoming and friendly despite it being busy and school holidays. Didn't visit the restaurant this time. Easier to book online to reserve a space if busy.