JUSTENE WILLIAMS

Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery is West Auckland’s regional gallery, operated by Lopdell House Society with core operational funding from Auckland Council through the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. We aim to present a contemporary exhibition programme that reflects and strengthens the full diversity of cultural identities, interests and potential of our community.

Since 1986, the gallery has been sited in the historic Lopdell House, located in the heart of Titirangi, gateway to the Waitakere rain forest and Auckland’s west coast beaches. From 2012, during an extensive redevelopment programme, the gallery delivered exhibitions and outreach style programmes from a temporary base in nearby New Lynn. We reopened in new purpose-built facilities alongside Lopdell House on Saturday 1 November 2014.

Our name, Te Uru, makes reference to Te Hau a Uru, the wind that blows from the west, a powerful characteristic of the region and an important story for local iwi, Te Kawerau ā Maki, who have bestowed us with this new kaupapa. It shares the messages and vision of the people that live in the west, brings change, sets direction and influences Auckland City from its mountainous perch atop the Great Forest of Tiriwa. Te Uru will be a source of information and ideas that will project out into the region - a fitting framework for a contemporary gallery. The new name was launched at a special members’ meeting in April 2014.