The first half of an art auction containing items from the Bank of New Zealand's collection has exceeded expectations, bringing in more than $13.5 million last night.
It included the $2.45 million sale of a Colin McCahon painting, which was a new record for New Zealand.
Because the collection was in public hands when it was put together, there has been some anger that the works weren't first made available to New Zealand's many museums.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The national museum, Te Papa, spent just over $625,000 at the auction for two paintings, one by A. Lois White and the other by Robin White.
Te Papa's chief executive, Courtney Johnston, spoke to Guyon Espiner.
