With sadness we note the recent passing of artist Philip Trusttum (1940-2026). We are grateful to be kaitiaki of four works by Trusttum held in Ngā Puhipuhi o Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University Art Collection. Our association with Trusttum spans over 56 years. His work Ancient Temple (1969) was first acquired for the Collection in 1970 this was followed by Air Ticket (1977) in 1977. In 2010 Gordon H. Brown (1931–2025) gifted a small sketch Dance Macabre (1970) and in 2018 we received the major gift of 1st and 2nd (1976) a large unstretched canvas. This characteristic ‘banner’ depicting elements relating to a cycle tour he and his family undertook in France in 1975, was donated to the University by Victoria Corner, daughter of diplomat Frank Corner (1920–2014) and chair of the National Art Gallery Council Lyn Corner (1922–2016), both avid supporters of New Zealand Art, who met at Victoria University in 1941. You will be much missed, Philip. 

Congratulations to Emerita Baik, winner of the 2025 Parkin New Art Prize with Heaven's Only Door, 2021. This work will join Ngā Puhipuhi o Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Art Collection, with thanks to the Parkins for their generous support of this award. Emerita's work joins previous years' winners, Hikalu Clarke's You’re Safe Now, 2022, and Matt Tini's sitters i, 2022.

We are delighted to announce that the gallery designed by Athfield Architects has won an award at Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA’s New Zealand Architecture Awards presented on 21 November 2025. After winning the Wellington regional award back in June, Te Pātaka Toi has now been given a national award in the Enduring Architecture category.