Fodor's Expert Review Shark Nett Gallery
Editor's Note: This location is no longer in operation.
A family-owned gallery located beside the Kaituna Estuary is touted as "the largest privately owned collection of Māori carving in the world," on the basis that other collections are held by museums and tribal groups. Nevertheless the carvings here, commissioned especially for the gallery, represent a striking blend of contemporary and traditional styles relating the stories of local tribal history, people, birds, and plants. The collection's main purpose is to carry on the stories of the Rangitane people of the Marlborough Sounds for future generations. Feather cloaks and contemporary jewelry also feature. This gallery is not a shop as such—it's all about learning the stories and understanding the art; thus guided tours are an essential element to a visit. You will receive the full treatment of manaakitanga, as in traditional Māori hospitality.
