Art galleries and museums on Waiheke Island

Art & Culture

Waiheke Island’s creative landscape is anchored by the Artworks complex in Oneroa, which houses a community gallery and a museum of rare historical instruments. The island's heritage is preserved at the Onetangi open-air museum through reconstructed 19th-century cottages and maritime exhibits. A high concentration of boutique galleries in Oneroa and Surfdale, such as Toi and [ s p a c e ], showcase contemporary New Zealand sculpture, jewelry, and painting, frequently featuring works by resident artists.

Waiheke Community Art Gallery

Curated exhibitions featuring local and national New Zealand artists. The gallery includes a shop selling island-made ceramics and jewelry, and serves as the hub for the biennial Headland Sculpture on the Gulf event.

Waiheke Musical Museum

A collection of historical musical instruments, including rare player pianos, reed organs, and world instruments. The museum hosts regular concerts and live demonstrations of its working mechanical instruments.

Museum of Waiheke & Historic Village

Open-air museum featuring the 19th-century Goodwin Cottage, a vintage wool shed, and a jailhouse. Exhibits detail the island’s Māori heritage, early European settlement, and maritime history.

[ s p a c e ] Art Gallery

Contemporary art space showcasing photography, painting, and sculpture by Waiheke-based artists. The gallery focuses on modern and conceptual works.

Toi Art Gallery

Showcases contemporary New Zealand paintings, sculpture, and jewelry. The gallery highlights works by resident artists Sally Smith and Chris Moore, often inspired by natural forms.