The new Bergman Gallery Auckland in New Zealand was officially opened over the weekend by Cook Islander Caren Rangi, Chair of the Arts Council of New Zealand, Toi Aotearoa.

Gallery director Ben Bergman said: “We are constantly exploring new opportunities for the artists that we represent.

“The new exhibition space in Auckland evolves the gallery mission to develop and exhibit Pacific artists on a domestic, regional and international level.

“Our extension into the largest Pacific city in the world is an important part of that strategy.”

“We also look forward to being part of the history of K Road, with its unique connection to the Pacific and LGBTQIA+ community and position within Auckland’s art gallery forum,” said Bergman.

Local artist Mahiriki Tangaroa displayed a number of her artistic pictures, which had also been on display at the recent world art gallery in Venice, Italy.

The attendance was successful with various artists from around New Zealand flying into Auckland for the special opening, and the presence of the Minister of Culture George (Maggie) Angene and Secretary Anthony Turua.

“This is a milestone for our small nation, to have our very own Art Gallery in New Zealand to sustain the promotion of our art and design of our traditional images inside Ben Bergman’s Art Gallery,” said Turua.

“The Minister and I were so proud that our Cook Islands artists now have an art gallery to display their traditional designs of our various matakeinanga,” said Turua.

The Auckland Gallery manager is Benny Chan, a graduate of the University of Auckland, Bachelor of Visual Arts, 2009.

Chan has previously worked with the Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tāmaki and Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery, his experience and love of Pacific and New Zealand contemporary art is warmly welcomed.

The inaugural group show features new works by Mahiriki Tangaroa, Andy Leleisi’uao, Sylvia Marsters, Telly Tuita, Nina Oberg Humphries, Benjamin Work, Raymond Sagapolutele and Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka.

The Bergman Gallery is located in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.

Bergman Gallery opened in Rarotonga in 2016, evolving from its former incarnation Beachcomber Contemporary Art (BCA), the Gallery works with significant Pacific artists.