Te Papa will open a new $6 million art gallery in the museum late next year.
The design of the new gallery. Photo: Supplied Photo: Supplied.
It means the space for art at Te Papa will grow 35 percent from nearly 2,500m2 to almost 3000m2.
The new gallery will have 8 metre-high walls, which will allow large sculptures to be displayed.
Entry will be free.
The museum said the new art space would allow more of the national art collection to be shown.
The gallery would include a dedicated area for works by major New Zealand artists such as Charles Goldie, Rita Angus, Colin McCahon and Ralph Hotere.
The work will begin in February.