Auckland's art gallery

Well, as you have noticed it is starting to feel a bit more like winter. Everything is wet, damp and soggy. Hanging outside isn't really an option in this on & off drizzly rain. Feel like you don't have anything to do? Why not check out Auckland's art museum.
The Auckland Art Museum borders Albert Park and you can enter the gallery at the centre of Kitchener and Wellesley st. The best part about the art museum is that it's free (except for the special exhibits)! It's open 10am-5pm everyday (except Christmas), so you can go anytime this winter.
It was opened to the public in 1888 as a gallery, and has recently been renovated and extended in 2011. The architecture of the gallery itself is an artform, and as a historical landmark.
Getting there is easy. It's only a short walk from Symonds street down Wellesley st. to the gallery and a short walk up Wellesley from Queen st. There is also a car park across the road on Kitchener street and on the weekend it's $4 to park all day at the Victoria Street carpark when you pick up your discount coupon from the front desk.
However, the annoying thing about going to the gallery is that you must check your umbrellas and backpacks in at the cloakroom.The staff say it is to protect the displays from getting damaged and knocked over.
There are range of art works in the old and new part of the gallery. In the main foyer there is a beautiful visual art piece in the shapes of flowers hanging from the roof. It opens and closes every few minutes. There are a range of New Zealand artists on display from contemporary installations to traditional oil portraits of nz historical figures including artworks painted by Lindaeur. There is also a number of foreign works (kindly donated) displayed throughout the four levels of the gallery. Every once and while there are limited time exhibits that you usually have to pay for. In the gallery's collection there is over 15,000 artworks. These include not only well-known European artists (paintings, sculptures and prints) but also local maori and pacific island artists.
Generally you will be able to take as many photos as you want for your personal use. However tripods and flash photography is prohibited, and taking photos of maori portraits.
At the end there is a gift shop where you can buy reproductions, artwork and gifts to take home. There is also a cafe if you want to eat there, but there are a number of cafes and restaurants just down the road on Queen Street.