The Forrester Gallery is housed in a spectacular neo-classical building originally constructed in 1884 for the Bank of New South Wales. The new wing of the building opened in 2026, and was gifted the ikoa of Mahika Kai Mahika Toi by Te Rūnanga o Moeraki - acknowledging the whenua the gallery sits upon, as an important site for gathering kai, and the sustenance provided to us by art.
The Forrester Gallery & Mahika Kai Mahika Toi hosts a diverse and varied exhibition programme that reflects the arts ecology of te rohe o Waitaki and Aotearoa New Zealand. The gallery houses an excellent collection of other 2500 taoka, which is now more accessible than before, with two visible collection galleries. The commmunity gallery programme is designed specifically to support and encourage new and emerging artists in te rohe o Waitaki. Find out more about the process for arranging an exhibition by contacting us or looking out for call for proposals - which occur twice a year.
Become a Volunteer We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help us meet and greet our manuhiri. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact us.
History of the building The Forrester Gallery is registered as a Category 1 site by Heritage NZ. Its history dates back to 1882 when the Bank of New South Wales commissioned the architect R.A. Lawson to design a building to compete with the neighbouring Bank of Otago (now ANZ Bank). The building served as a bank and manager’s residence until 1979 when the Ōamaru Borough Council acquired the site in exchange for another in the central business district. Council had been searching for a suitable location for an Ōamaru gallery since 1965 when retired architect and former mayor, John Meggett Forrester left a substantial bequest for the founding of an art gallery. The Forrester Gallery & Mahika Kai Mahika Toi is funded by the Waitaki District Council. In 2026 the Forrester Gallery opened Mahika Kai Mahika Toi. The extension project was initiated in the 1990s, with early mentions of a lift noted further back when the Bank of New South Wales was originally purchased. The heritage aspects and accessibility concerns were a key driver for the build as these conditions weren't ideal for a public art gallery of today. A purpose-built collection store and main gallery, both climate-controlled, as well as a lift and education room allow the gallery to serve its community in the best way possible. The project received a $6.5 million grant from the government's Regional Culture and Heritage fund, with remaining funding achieved through long-term fundraising efforts by gallery director Chloe Searle and the Friends of the Forrester Gallery. The extension was built by Naylor Love, Dunedin. Admission is free - koha welcome Gallery fees and charges can be found here.