Gift a portrait

The New Zealand Portrait Gallery is principally an exhibition gallery of works of portraiture encompassing all media.

We appreciate the generosity of potential donors who are interested in gifting a portrait to the Gallery. All proposed gifts must go through an approval process, and we are not in a position to accept many of the items offered to us, especially as the Gallery’s collection storage is currently at capacity.

We are able to offer advice on other collecting institutions that may be interested in your work and are nationally funded to collect portraiture for the nation, and whose collections we are able to borrow from for our exhibitions.

Offer a portrait to the New Zealand Portrait Gallery

To offer a portrait to our collection, please first review our collecting objectives set out in our Collections Policy. If you have a work that meets our objectives please send all available information, including an image, to our Director.

We cannot accept objects brought to the Gallery without an appointment.

Making a financial gift?

Every donation is gratefully received and goes a long way to ensuring the Gallery can maintain and display its collection. 
We are a registered Charitable Trust (#CC21606). All donations over $5 may be eligible for a 33.33% tax deduction.

Valuations, estimates and conservation treatment

We are unable to provide artwork valuations, estimates of value, authentications or referrals for portrait commissions. To do so would compromise our independent status as a public art museum.

You can consult a dealer gallery, antiques dealer, or specialist auction house for this advice.

If you are looking for advice on restoration or conservation treatment of your artwork you can search for a conservator in your area on the website of the New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials association.