Table of events and policy issues

Date Events Policy Issues
1936 Opening of the Buckle Street Art Gallery In his speech open the Gallery, Governor General, Lord Bledisloe, suggested that a portrait gallery should be established as part fo the new complex.
Jan 1988 After visiting the London Portrait Gallery Judy and Bill Williams revive the idea of establishing a similar gallery here as a Sesquicentennial Celebration Initial concept guidance came from leaders in the political, arts, cultural, and heritage institutions of the day.

They included: Rt Hon Sir John Marshall; Sir John Mowbray (MD, National Bank); Bill Sutton (pre-eminent NZ portrait painter and Senior Lecturer at Ilam School of Fine Arts); Sir Gordon Minhinnick (cartoonist); professor Bealglehole (Trustee, National Museum and Art Gallery); Jim Traue and Margaret Calder (Turnbull Library) Laurie VCameron (Chairman Board of Trustees; National Library); and, Peter Scott (Director, National Library).
May 1988 Inaugural Meeting Chaired by former Prime Minister, Rt Hon Sir John Marshall
June 1988 to March 1989 Internal Affairs agrees to fund a feasibility study to assess the need for and operrating requirements of a well managed portrait gallery On the basis of overseas experience the feasibility study found that substantial State funding was needed to ensure professionnal infrastructure and a suitable gallery venue.
December 1988 New Chairman, Derek Round, (journalist with extensive contacts in Press Gallery) appointed. Serious loss of political leasership for the idea of a Portrait Gallery occured with the death of inaugural Chairman Rt Hon Sir John Marshall.
Feb 1989 Data-base of portraits mooted Dr Bill Oliver, Chief Editor of the Dictionary of NZ Biography and early member fo the Portrait Gallery Planning Committee suggested that a data-base of all portraits held in public and private collections should be established.
March 1989 Initial approach to Te Papa Rt Hon Sir Wallace Rowling (former Prime Minister) now acting as Chairman of the MONZ (Museum of NZ) Establishment Board was consulted about the need for a Portrait Gallery and expressed stron personal support for the idea but suggested time too soon to decide whether such an institution should be part of the new museum.
June 1989 Approaches made to the MONZ Project Planning Team to test idea of a space being set aside for the Portrait Gallery. Firm rejection of this idea on the grounds that MONZ was to be built around a constantly changing programme of thematic displays. MONZ claimed that a Portrait Gallery with a clearly defined purpose would work against this concept.
December 1989 Wellington City Council approached for ideas of possible venues within the city precinct Chairman of the Cultural Committee gave strong personal support fo ridea of a Portrait Gallery in the city but could not offer any venues within Council owned buildings.
February 1990 Gallery granted certificate of registration as a Charitable Trust Summary of Objects: Establish / maintain multi-media national gallery to portray lifestyles and customs of NZ'ers for public; Provide opportunities for increased public interest in and knowledge of, the national identity of NZ by gathering material and mounting exhibitions which emphasise people behind NZ written and oral history; To encourage artists working in any media to exercise their talents in the portrayal of NZ'ers and produce material of high standard to assist succeeding generations understand our times and the history of NZ; To gather information on notable works relevant to the above objects towards establishment and maintenance of a national data-base; To advise on care of works.

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Last Updated: 2009-04-22