On 6 December 1975, Mayor C. R. Hervey announced the formation of the Friends of the Aigantighe Art Gallery, a council-authorised but informal group established on the recommendation of the gallery committee. Convened by Mr E. R. McKenzie, senior surgeon at Timaru Hospital, the group aimed to assist with the gallery’s art collection, general work, and the proposed extension. Mayor Hervey described it as a development in the best interests of the gallery’s administration and future, noting the potential for Friends to gain representation on the City Council’s standing art gallery committee. The steering committee included A. C. Marshall, J. C. Oddie, J. B. Wilson, C. S. Parker, and G. B. Hill.
- Art gallery friends group formed (06 Dec 1975). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025 https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/4307
On 7 August 1976, the Friends of the Aigantighe Art Gallery Committee was officially formed in Timaru, and within days it already had over 200 members. Chaired by Mr E. R. McKenzie, with Mr G. J. Instone as secretary and a committee including L. M. Heads, H. Hill, M. J. Parker, P. D. Lowe, A. C. Marshall, A. G. Manson, J. C. Oddie, and J. B. Wilson, the group aimed to support the gallery through fundraising for art purchases, assisting with cultural activities, providing amenities, and accepting grants and bequests. Mayor C. R. Hervey congratulated the committee on its early success, while Mr R. G. Galbraith, vice-president of the Timaru Lions Club, formally opened an exhibition featuring the Wanganui Lions AA Travel Art Award. Mr McKenzie described the membership response as “very promising,” reflecting growing community enthusiasm for the gallery and establishing a strong foundation for ongoing public involvement in Aigantighe’s future.
- 200 Friends of Aigantighe Art Gallery (10 Aug 1976). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025 https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/4315
A significant donation of eight paintings, watercolours, and drawings by celebrated New Zealand-born artist James Cook was presented to the Aigantighe Art Gallery by the Friends, with Mayor S. R. Bennett accepting the works on behalf of the city. Donated by Cook’s sister, Mrs M. Hemsley of Dunedin, the collection—known as the “James Cook Collection”—was praised as an important addition to the gallery, showcasing the development of New Zealand art. Cook, who trained at Canterbury College School of Art, won the Society of Imperial Culture travelling scholarship, served as a war artist in WWII, and became director of the National Gallery of Western Australia before his death in Florence in 1960. His works are held in major galleries across Australia and New Zealand, and this gift marked a valuable cultural enrichment for Timaru’s public art collection.
Important paintings for Aigantighe (16 Nov 1977). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/4341
On 9 September 1978, Sir Henry Wigley, nephew of James William Grant who gifted Aigantighe to Timaru, officially opened the Aigantighe Art Gallery extensions. The event featured speeches praising New Zealand’s artistic talent, displays including a Kelliher Art Awards retrospective and Ernest Buckmaster’s landscape, and a bronze sculpture presented by Friends president G. J. Instone. The new extension added a spacious foyer, 200m² main gallery, service areas, and a landscaped sculpture terrace. Gallery director A. G. Manson led Sir Henry and Lady Wigley on a tour despite bad weather forcing the ceremony indoors, celebrating Aigantighe’s transformation into a modern regional art centre.
Nephew of Aigantighe donor opens city art gallery extensions (11 Sep 1978). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/4330
Presidents Reports and Newsletters
Roselyn Cloake, Friends of the Aigantighe: President's Report 2007 (30 Aug 2007). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8461
Roselyn Cloake, Friends of the Aigantighe: President's Report 2008 (04 Sep 2008). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8462
Roselyn Cloake, Friends of the Aigantighe: President's Report 2009 (03 Sep 2009). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8463
Roselyn Cloake, Friends of the Aigantighe: President's Report 2010 (03 Sep 2010). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8464
Peter Field, Friends of the Aigantighe: President's Report 2011 (08 Sep 2011). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8465
Friends of the Aigantighe Newsletter July 2014 (July 2014). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8445
Friends of the Aigantighe Newsletter Summer 2015 (2015). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8448
Friends of the Aigantighe Newsletter Autumn 2015 (2015). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8446
Friends of the Aigantighe Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2015 (2015). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8447
Friends of the Aigantighe Newsletter Nov-Dec 2017 (Nov-Dec 2017). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8449
Roselyn Fauth, Friends of the Aigantighe: President's Report 2018 (2018). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8466
Friends of the Aigantighe Newsletter March 2018 (Mar 2018). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8451
Friends of the Aigantighe Newsletter August 2018 (Aug 2018). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 30/07/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8450