Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Welcome to a place of art and ideas. Expect the unexpected at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, showing contemporary art since 1970. Exhibitions change out every four months so there's always something new to experience. The new wing of the Govett-Brewster, the Len Lye Centre, showcases New Zealand-born artist Len Lye's ideas and artworks in film, sculpture, painting and photography. It also shows work by artists whose practice is related to Len Lye's. The boutique 60-seat cinema screens international film festivals, experimental, arthouse and cult movies, as well as a New Zealand cinema, symposia and lectures. Open seven days, 10am – 5pm (+ Thursday night films), the entrance to the art gallery is on Queen St. Entry is $15. Be sure to save some time for the Govett-Brewster Shop where you can find unique gifts of books, stationery, homewares, jewellery and cool kids’ stuff.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
842 reviews
Excellent
353
Very good
235
Average
137
Poor
66
Terrible
51
Jane C
australia185 contributions
Aug 2023
Lovely small gallery showing works of Len Lye along with exhibitions of other artists. Currently showing various works of Maori artists. Nice place to spend some time on a rainy day. $15 entry for non NZ residents, so if you aren't a fan maybe give it a miss.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crayeater
Hamilton, New Zealand128 contributions
May 2024 • Business
We only had an hour to spare between work meetings and the staff couldn't have been more helpful at, welcoming us in, storing our bags, and making sure we saw as many of the moving sculptures as we could in that time.
The building is amazing, worth seeing on its own and the moving exhibits we quirky and fun. I have a short attention span, and they could all have run for a minute or two less for me, but it was well worth the quick visit.
The building is amazing, worth seeing on its own and the moving exhibits we quirky and fun. I have a short attention span, and they could all have run for a minute or two less for me, but it was well worth the quick visit.
Written 26 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily C
Lower Hutt, New Zealand51 contributions
Jan 2022
Go for two things: the excellent and thorough Len Lye exhibit and experiencing the building itself. Unlike a lot of regional museums in NZ, there's a charge of $15 for adult entry. The Len Lye areas are unique, lively, detailed, and brightly coloured. They are wrapped in the exquisite and fascinating building, which I enjoyed. The one other exhibit had a lot of intricate background information, provided as a brochure. We would have appreciated more wall signage to share with everyone why it was special. As it was, the presentation was mysterious. I was told before visiting to expect the museum to take 45 minutes to an hour for interested adults. That's about right unless you're there for a film. The place is definitely what Len Lye would have wanted.
Written 5 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luvinspoonful
Rotorua, New Zealand672 contributions
Aug 2021
The external architecture of this building made it worth the walk (parking was difficult to obtain) and lucky (or maybe unlucky) for us it was a $5 entry (usually $15) due to one of the exhibition rooms being closed.
These are very large rooms and the exhibits change regularly, the staff are extremely well informed and keen to share their knowledge.
The kinetic sculpture (think multiple powered and dancing wind wands) is the key draw card.
Gift shop is very well stocked with a wide variety of objects of interest from different schools of art.
These are very large rooms and the exhibits change regularly, the staff are extremely well informed and keen to share their knowledge.
The kinetic sculpture (think multiple powered and dancing wind wands) is the key draw card.
Gift shop is very well stocked with a wide variety of objects of interest from different schools of art.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynette J
Paihia, New Zealand26 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
A lot of empty space with very little inside. We were told at entry that some rooms were closed due to being refurbished or changed, but they still took the full entry fee from us. A lot about Len Lye which was mostly boring and none of his exhibits actually did anything. We were in and out in 15 minutes. Even my husband wasn’t impressed. The only saving grace was the exterior mirrored panels and they came free.
Written 2 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FulhamPete
East Sussex, UK124 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Astounding architecture. Astounding curators. Astounding exhibitions and the Len Lye archive collection to boot! Seeing and hearing a performance of Lye's kinetic "Storm" concept alone absolutely made my day and the other exhibitions were just stunning. This is the crown jewel in New Plymouth's art (and architecture) scene, smaller than London's Hayward gallery but every bit as delicious. Go!
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenyon
1 contribution
May 2021 • Friends
I and my friends decided to stop at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre. The environment was amazing and a lady named Wendy discuss to us about what was in the art gallery, Wendy was really helpful and amazing which made us decide to look more into the art gallery.. We were so glad we went there, and will recommend it to others. Thank you so much ☺️
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travellingbuzz
Auckland Central, New Zealand893 contributions
Jan 2020
I thought I was going to have a "Len Lye" experience. I clearly didn't research well enough. The Art Gallery is a modern art Gallery and it spends on what is on if you will enjoy it. I had a pleasant time but my companions did not enjoy it. There were only a couple of Len Lye pieces and the major piece only "plays"once or twice a day - so check ahead if this is what you want to see. What is really great is that your ticket lasts two days so if you miss the Len Lye you can return for it.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
platotheturtle
Foxton, New Zealand25 contributions
Aug 2022
We felt we should support this centre in our city, but after a walk though, realised that such art as was there is not for us. I'm sure it was excellent for others, but to us, just a large space full of nothing of interest. We won't bother taking our international friends through there when they visit us.
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moonlotus18
Hamilton, New Zealand2,077 contributions
Apr 2021
We came to visit this gallery during our stay in New Plymouth and loved the art works. Found out a bit more about Len Lye and got a treat as well to see the special Maori exhibition in town that was exhibited there at that time. Would recommend a visit. Worthwhile.
Written 24 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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