Explore the new must-do iconic tourist attraction in Northland at the picturesque Town Basin marina in Whangārei, located in Whangārei, just 2 hours north of Auckland city.

The Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery celebrates painter, architect, ecologist and visionary Friedensreich Hundertwasser and contemporary Māori artists.

The building is an original Hundertwasser design including unique features such as uneven floors, tree tenants, mosaics, recycled materials, colourful ceramic and terracotta tiles throughout.

Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery is a unique, multi-faceted, immersive art experience that is a living example of Hundertwasser’s philosophies about living in harmony with nature.

Set over three levels there are multiple spaces to explore and visitors can enjoy two galleries: the Hundertwasser in New Zealand 1973-2000 exhibition which includes original artworks, tapestries, ecological work and architectural models fand features the largest collection of Hundertwasser original artworks outside of Vienna.

Visitors will also discover The Wairau Māori Gallery,the world’s first Māori dedicated Public Art Gallery and is dedicated to the finest in contemporary Māori Art, currently showing a Lisa Reihana digital film He Wai Ngunguru, Nomads of the Sea.

On top of the building is the award-winning Afforested Roof with the golden cupola which visitors can climb to gain sweeping views of the Hātea River and the city.

The Hundertwasser Art Centre also houses a small film theatre and a MuseumShop that has a large selection of Hundertwasser’s applied art, unique objects and gifts alongside Wairau Māori Art Gallery merchandise.

To complete the experience there is an on-site Café-Restaurant serving brunch, lunch and dinner overlooking the marina.

You can self-guide or take a guided tour, running Thursday-Sunday. Tours take an hour providing a deeper appreciation of Hundertwasser’s life, legacy, connection to New Zealand and commitment to living in harmony with nature.

Admission tickets are valid for the whole day. You will need at least 1 to 1 ½ hours to enjoy the full experience.