The Mackelvie Collection was gifted to Auckland in 1885. Today, the Mackelvie Society helps it to grow, thrive, and inspire.
The Mackelive Society
In 2019, the Mackelvie Trust established the Mackelvie Society — a philanthropic supporters’ group dedicated to strengthening the Mackelvie Art Collection. Through an acquisition fund and ongoing patronage, the Society helps grow and enrich the collection, continuing a legacy built on generosity, bequests, and the passion of art lovers.
Members receive exclusive invitations to behind-the-scenes events, curator talks, gallery previews, and opportunities to connect with like-minded art lovers. It’s a way to be part of Auckland’s cultural legacy — and help shape its future.
The Mackelvie Society and its members enrich the collection by:
Supporting the preservation and enhancement of the Mackelvie Collection.
Keeping the Mackelvie Collection alive and growing through the acquisition fund.
Raising awareness of the Mackelvie Collection as an Auckland “treasure” and fulfilling James Mackelvie’s wishes for the collection to be a “teaching collection” for New Zealand.
The Mackelvie Collection
An art collection given to the people of Auckland by benefactor, James Mackelvie.
James Tannock Mackelvie was a passionate collector and philanthropist who believed in the power of art to educate and inspire. After living in Auckland from 1865 to 1871, he returned to London and began acquiring artworks, books, and objects of virtu, with the vision of creating a teaching collection for the people of Auckland.
His bequest in 1885 laid the foundation for the Mackelvie Collection, now housed across three major institutions - the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, and Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. Over time, the collection has grown through further donations and acquisitions, continuing Mackelvie’s legacy of cultural generosity and public enrichment for future generations of Aucklanders.
Where the Collection Lives
The Mackelvie Collection is a public collection held across three of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s leading cultural institutions — the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, and Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. Each institution cares for a different part of the collection, making it accessible to the public through exhibitions, displays, and research.
We’re currently working to bring the full collection together online. For now, you can explore the works held at Auckland Museum through our website.
News + Events
Stay up to date with what’s happening across the Mackelvie Society. From exhibition highlights and collection updates to talks, fundraising events, and behind-the-scenes insights. This is where we share the stories that bring the collection to life. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or discovering us for the first time, there’s always something new to explore.