Embargoed until 3pm, 17 October 2001 Media Statement

PM opens Museum of NZ’s new Boulevard Galleries

The Museum of New Zealand’s new Boulevard Gallery was opened today by Prime Minister and Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Clark.

Helen Clark said the new gallery space, which will be used for visual art exhibitions, primarily from the national collection, was a most welcome addition to the Museum’s display area.

“New Zealanders and overseas visitors want to see the finest examples of New Zealand’s visual art – from the works of important early New Zealand artists like Frances Hodgkins and Petrus van der Velden, through to modern painters like Colin McCahon, Toss Woollaston and Ralph Hotere.

“With the opening of the new Boulevard Galleries, significant works from artists such as these which are part of the national collection will now be available to the public. This is an important step forward for the Museum, and will help alleviate some of the concerns which have been expressed about the relative absence of the national collection from public display.

“Level five spaces will be used for temporary exhibitions primarily from the national collection examining various themes. Level four will house the Made in New Zealand exhibition comprising the Museum’s finest works, including paintings by McCahon, Hodgkins and Woollaston.

“The opening of the new gallery space was made possible by last year’s cultural recovery package. It provided Te Papa with an extra $2 million per annum operational funding and an extra $9 million per annum capital funding.

“The gallery developments represent a new phase in the life of the museum. I congratulate the Museum and its board on this important milestone which will be welcomed by everyone with an interest in New Zealand art,” Helen Clark said.

ENDS

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