Travel book: Art Galleries to visit in New Zealand

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Art Galleries to visit in New Zealand
Denis Robinson and Gaye Ingold
(New Holland $29.99)

This slim volume, which purports to "provide a guide to the many art galleries of all types that are scattered throughout New Zealand", may be useful as an introduction but it is by no means comprehensive.

I'm not sure what criteria was needed for inclusion but, judging from the territory I know best - Auckland - the selection is patchy.

Public galleries such as Te Tuhi in Howick and Artspace in K'Rd are omitted, and some of the lesser dealer galleries make the cut.

And, given the major significance of the reopening of the Auckland Art Gallery in September, the entry seems slightly perfunctory, with no illustration.

In the Wellington section, the McLeavey Gallery, one of the oldest and most respected dealer galleries in the land, is also missing in action which is incomprehensible.

So in all, I'd say this guide is relatively handy but not indispensable.