Recharge the mind and spirit by immersing yourself in New Zealand’s vibrant arts scene. From indigenous weaving and contemporary photography to international masters and local retrospectives, here’s a curated guide to exhibitions worth planning a weekend trip around.
Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
1. Threads of Identity — Contemporary Māori and Pasifika Weaving
What: An expansive showcase of traditional and contemporary textile art, foregrounding narratives of identity, belonging and whakapapa.
Why visit: Weaving has long been a medium of law, lore and memory in Māori culture — offering a reflective counterpart to judicial work rooted in understanding social context.
Where: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Dates: Through to 1 March 2026
2. Lens & Story: New Zealand Photography Now
What: A national survey of photographic practice featuring emerging and established image-makers.
Why visit: Photographs capture social landscapes and lived experience, prompting questions about perspective — a useful lens for legal minds.
Where: Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery
Dates: Until late February
Te Whanganui-ā-Tara / Wellington
1. Pacific Currents: Oceanic Artists Today
What: Large-scale installations, video and sculpture from Pacific artists exploring climate, memory and movement.
Why visit: The themes intersect with questions of environmental justice and transnational identity — timely for anyone balancing law and civic life.
Where: City Gallery Wellington
Dates: Feb 5 – Mar 15
2. Justice and Place: Art Responding to Law
What: A deliberately curated exhibition bringing together works that engage with human rights, protest, incarceration and equity.
Why Vvsit: Directly resonant with judicial themes — this is art that starts conversations around rule of law and social structures.
Where: Te Papa Tongarewa
Dates: Full month of February
Ōtautahi / Christchurch
1. Shifting Ground: Art After Quake
What: A multi-media exploration of seismic memory, resilience and community rebuilding.
Why visit: Christchurch continues to serve as a national case study in legal and urban regeneration; this exhibition offers an emotional and cultural dimension to that story.
Where: Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Dates: 6 Feb – 28 Mar
2. Contemporary Māori Painting
What: Bold contemporary works from painters rooted in Māori nanā, tikanga and visual innovation.
Why visit: Painting remains a powerful medium for cultural dialogue — particularly around land, law and narrative.
Where: South Permanent Collection
Dates: Through February
Ōtepoti / Dunedin
1. Southern Lights: Antarctica & Art
What: A travelling exhibition featuring works inspired by the southern continent — photography, sculpture and immersive installation.
Why visit: Themes of isolation, fellowship and environment echo judicial reflections on human limits and shared responsibility.
Where: Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Dates: Feb 10 – Mar 31
2. Otago Museum: Te Ao Hurihuri / Changing World
What: A deep look at natural history, environment and mātauranga Māori perspectives on change.
Why visit: Environment and law increasingly intersect; this show offers cultural and scientific insights.
Where: Otago Museum
Dates: Ongoing, with special February programming
February’s exhibition scene in Aotearoa offers thoughtful experiences across cities. From indigenous artforms to global conversations translated through local practice, there is much to see — and much to ponder long after closing time.