Te Kahu o Waipuna houses the Marlborough Art Gallery — the public art gallery for the region, opened in May 2023 in a purpose-built Warren and Mahoney-designed building at 15 High Street, Blenheim. The gallery occupies 600 m² within the wider 3,600 m² building (which also houses Marlborough District Library and shared spaces). The name Te Kahu o Waipuna — “the protective cloak of Waipuna” — was gifted by tangata whenua Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua and Rangitāne o Wairau and unveiled at the official opening on 30 June 2023.
Practical Information
| Address | 15 High Street, Blenheim |
| Opened to public | 12 May 2023 |
| Name unveiled | 30 June 2023 — by Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua and Rangitāne o Wairau |
| Architect | Warren and Mahoney |
| Building cost | $20 million ($11 million via Government shovel-ready fund, 2020) |
| Total building size | 3,600 m² |
| Art gallery space | 600 m² |
| Library | 1,900 m² — same building |
| Shared spaces | 1,100 m² |
| Six-month visitor total | ~330,000 — about 10× Blenheim’s population |
| Cost | Free to visit |
About Te Kahu o Waipuna
Te Kahu o Waipuna is the combined home for Marlborough’s public art gallery and district library — a Warren and Mahoney-designed building that opened to the public on 12 May 2023 at 15 High Street in central Blenheim. The building was purpose-built to reflect its surroundings: exterior panels mirror the shape of the Wither Hills behind Blenheim and catch the changing light through the day. The art gallery occupies 600 square metres of the total 3,600 square metre footprint.
The name Te Kahu o Waipuna was gifted by the three local iwi — Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua and Rangitāne o Wairau — and formally unveiled at the official opening on 30 June 2023. A kahu is a traditional cloak that symbolises the embracing or protection of people. Waipuna means spring water, referencing the puna (springs) that rise to the north-west of Blenheim and feed the river that flows past the building. The full meaning of the name — “the protective cloak of Waipuna” — situates the building within local whakapapa and the surrounding landscape.
The Building and Its Funding
The building cost $20 million in total. $11 million of that came from the Government’s shovel-ready infrastructure fund announced in 2020 as part of post-pandemic economic stimulus — the remainder was funded locally. Warren and Mahoney’s design has been recognised by multiple architecture awards since opening. The building hosts the art gallery, the library and a range of shared community spaces under one roof — a deliberate design choice that has driven the high visitor numbers.
In the first six months after opening, about 330,000 visitors passed through — approximately 10 times Blenheim’s population. The volume reflects the combined library/gallery/community-space model rather than the gallery alone.
Where to Learn More
Marlborough NZ — Te Kahu o Waipuna — regional tourism page with practical visitor info and current exhibitions.
Marlborough Art — Te Kahu o Waipuna name reveal — detailed background on the gifted name, the meaning, and the iwi delegation involved.
Warren and Mahoney — Te Kahu o Waipuna — architects’ project page covering the design intent, materials and award recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Te Kahu o Waipuna?
15 High Street, Blenheim — central town.
What does Te Kahu o Waipuna mean?
“The protective cloak of Waipuna” — a kahu is a traditional cloak symbolising protection or embracing, and Waipuna refers to the springs that rise north-west of Blenheim and feed the local river.
Who gifted the name?
Local iwi Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua and Rangitāne o Wairau — unveiled at the official opening on 30 June 2023.
When did Te Kahu o Waipuna open?
Opened to the public on 12 May 2023.
Who designed the building?
Warren and Mahoney.
How big is the art gallery?
600 m² of gallery space within the 3,600 m² building.
How much did the building cost?
$20 million total, with $11 million through the Government’s shovel-ready fund announced in 2020.
Is Te Kahu o Waipuna free to visit?
Yes — free public access to both the art gallery and the library.
For the library side see Marlborough District Library. For more Blenheim arts venues see Marlborough Art Society.
