The Friends of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre

03/09/2026

🎨 Free family art this September!

A lovely way to spend a Sunday morning together at the Govett-Brewster. Drop in, get creative and explore art as a whānau - free and open to all. ❤️

Four Sundays throughout September, starting this weekend!

👇 Check out the Gallery’s post below for all the details.

Free Toi Mā Te Whānau | Family Art sessions this September
Inspired by our exhibition programme, these creative drop-in sessions are designed for the whole whānau to enjoy.
Explore new materials, build new stories and learn together.

Sundays | 10.30AM - 12.00PM
- 6 Sept
- 13 Sept
- 20 Sept | Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
- 27 Sept
For more details visit govettbrewster.com/whats-on

24/08/2026

A thoughtful perspective worth sharing.

Jaenine Parkinson, Chief Executive of Museums Aotearoa, reflects on the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre and the broader value of caring for our cultural collections and artistic heritage for generations to come.

We appreciate this contribution to an important conversation about the Gallery and its future.

👉 Read the full article:
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360793994/more-budget-line-len-lye-centre-and-battle-over-our-art-legacy

22/08/2026

A full house, great art and a wonderful welcome for Megan Dunn! 🥂

Thursday’s Art After Hours was officially sold out – and what a fantastic evening it turned out to be.

We started in the galleries with Curator Contemporary Art Simon Gennard, who led us through Economies of Deferral, sharing some of the stories, ideas and context behind this remarkable exhibition.

Then came the chance to properly meet Megan Dunn, the new Director of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre.

Megan brings a wonderfully varied background to the role – as a curator, arts leader, critic and writer. Her distinctive writing on contemporary art and culture has appeared widely in Aotearoa, and she is the author of books including Tinderbox and Things I Learned at Art School. We loved hearing more about the journey that has brought her to Ngāmotu and getting a glimpse of the energy, curiosity and humour she brings to the Gallery.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made the night such a success. There was a real buzz in the Gallery, plenty of conversation and, judging by the photos, quite a few smiles too!

📸 Have a look through the photos – if you spot yourself or someone you know, tag away!

And a very warm Friends welcome to Megan. We’re looking forward to what comes next. ❤️

19/08/2026

Tomorrow night!

Join us for Art After Hours as we welcome Megan Dunn, the new Director of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre.

Enjoy a guided tour of Economies of Deferral with Simon Gennard, followed by drinks, nibbles and a chance to meet Megan.

📅 Thursday 20 August | 6–8pm
🎟️ $15 per person - everyone welcome!

There’s still time to grab your ticket 👇
https://shop.govettbrewster.com/products/friends-event-art-after-hours

Come along and help us give Megan a warm Friends welcome! ✨

16/08/2026

Annual General Meeting 2026
The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre Incorporated will be held at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre on Tuesday, 15th September 2026.

The usual format will be a meet and greet with drinks from 5.00pm until 5.30pm, followed by our guest speaker, with the more formal side of the AGM commencing before 6.00pm.

Snacks will be provided.

We’ll also hear from a special guest speaker, with details to be announced soon.

The annual reports will be available on the Friends page of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery website.

Nominations for Committee positions will be accepted on the day from current financial members. New Committee members are warmly welcomed - if you are interested in getting more involved with the Friends, we would love to hear from you.

If you would like to attend, or require further information, please contact: [email protected]

15/08/2026

A little reminder - Art After Hours is coming up this Thursday!

Join the Friends for a special evening at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre as we welcome Megan Dunn, the Gallery’s new Director.

We’ll begin with a guided tour of Economies of Deferral with Curator Contemporary Art Simon Gennard, before drinks, nibbles and conversation with Megan.

📅 Thursday 20 August
⏰ 6–8pm
📍 Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre
🎟️ $15 per person
👋 Everyone is welcome — you don’t need to be a Friend to come along.

Haven’t booked yet? Now’s the time! Come for the art, stay for the conversation, and help us give Megan a wonderfully warm Friends welcome.

🎟️ Book your tickets here:
https://shop.govettbrewster.com/products/friends-event-art-after-hours

13/08/2026

This is what being a Friend helps make possible 💛 Your support helps programmes like Art Baby! bring art, connection and creativity to our youngest visitors and their caregivers.

Join us for Art Baby! A relaxed session of art, sensory play, tea/coffee and connection with other caregivers.
Tues 25 Aug | 10.15am-11.15am

Adult space, baby pace.
For parents, caregivers and babies aged 2–18 months.
Held every fourth Tuesday of the month, from 10:15–11:15am.

Proudly supported by the Friends of Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

11/08/2026

Gallery Seniors is back this Friday!
We’re proud that the Friends help fund Gallery Seniors, alongside the wonderful Art Baby! programme. It’s a great example of what being a Friend helps make possible: supporting opportunities to enjoy and connect with art at every stage of life. 💛
👇 Check the post below for all the event details.

Calling all Seniors!
Looking for a monthly dose of art, culture, conversation and connection? Gallery Seniors is a welcoming monthly gathering inspired by the Gallery's exhibitions, ideas and events. With free-flowing discussions and engaging experiences, its the perfect opportunity to connect with others and explore something new - no art knowledge required.

Held on the second Friday of every month, 10-11am.
Many regulars met at Monica's Eatery from 9.30am for a pre-session coffee and catch-up.

Friday 14 August |10-11am
Speaker: Glenn Martin, Archive Curator at Puke Ariki
Meet at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre

10/08/2026

08/08/2026

✨ What an opening day!

A fantastic turnout today for the opening of Economies of Deferral at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre.

From the artist talks with Fiona Clark & John Miller and Ngahuia Harrison & Matthew Galloway, through to Ho Rui An’s Between Two Trees performance and the opening speeches, the Gallery was buzzing with people, conversation and ideas.

It was wonderful to see such a strong crowd come together to hear directly from the artists and celebrate this significant new exhibition, already named by ArtReview as one of its 10 Exhibitions to See in August 2026. 🌍👏

A hugely successful opening and a great reminder of just how lucky we are to have ambitious contemporary art - and the artists behind it - right here in Ngāmotu.

Here are a few moments from a very special day. 📸❤️

Economies of Deferral is now open at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre.