About

Charles Ninow

Charles Ninow is a long-time resident and champion of Auckland City. He graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts in the early 2000s, drawn there by the legacy of Colin McCahon, whose practice has remained an enduring influence throughout Charles’s life and career.
Over the years, Charles has built a significant reputation as an art dealer, auctioneer, and promoter. Known for his disruptive and independent approach to the art market, he began his career after graduation in an entry-level role at a well-known New Zealand auction house. Founded in the mid-1970s, the business was still family-run at the time, giving Charles rare insight into the typically private and opaque world of art dealing.
In his late twenties, Charles co-founded Bowerbank Ninow, a gallery and auction house in central Auckland. Among its many initiatives, it became the first business in New Zealand to introduce resale royalties for living artists - a significant, cutting-edge initiative at the time. The company developed a strong following, cultivating collectors with a notably younger demographic than the wider art market.
Its innovative marketing and auction concepts attracted the interest of one of New Zealand’s legacy auction houses, which later acquired the business. Charles was appointed Director of Art and Chief Auctioneer. At the time of his appointment, the company’s annual art turnover was under $1 million. Within three years, Charles had grown that figure to over $30 million annually, making it the market leader during his tenure.
By his mid-thirties, Charles had set new auction records for nearly every major New Zealand artist - in some cases, multiple times over. These artists include Colin McCahon, Bill Hammond, Don Binney, Tony Fomison, Adele Younghusband, Brent Wong, and many others.

Selected Press

This list features selected articles and videos from past media coverage.
For the most recent coverage,
please visit the journal.

Private Sales

Charles Ninow has an extensive personal and professional network built over many years in a leadership role within the New Zealand art world. His experience has led to long-standing relationships with the majority of the country’s active collectors, curators, artists, estates, dealers, and consultants. For years, Charles has drawn on this knowledge and access to facilitate high-value private sales of significant artworks. He welcomes enquiries from both collectors seeking important New Zealand works and potential vendors interested in selling major pieces or entire collections.
Charles offers a service that is discreet, independent, and deeply informed by his experience. A selection of previously brokered sales is included below. In the interest of client privacy, more recent examples have been excluded. All of the artworks listed were sold privately and independently of Charles’s roles at larger institutions.

Selected Sales

Bill Hammond
Volcano Flag
1994
acrylic on canvas
2005
×
2005
mm
Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Toi Puna O Waiwhetū
Collection Online
The story of this painting and its acquisition in 2016 by Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū was the subject of a newspaper article. ‘Secret mission to rescue Bill Hammond artwork from quake-stricken bar’, by Charlie Gates, was published by The Press, Christchurch, on 3 February 2021, in celebration of the artist’s life.
Article

Valuation & Advisory

Charles Ninow has an unparalleled understanding of the New Zealand art market and valuation of artworks. His expertise has shaped a significant portion of the secondary/auction market's most notable transactions, and as a result, his knowledge is frequently sought by collectors seeking advice on artwork valuations and the process of buying or selling art. Charles has also provided valuation services to major corporations and public art museums.
Charles welcomes enquiries from collectors, families, or companies requiring advice on the value of artworks or collections. He is also open to expressions of interest from those seeking guidance on acquisitions, sales, or the care of artworks. Well-versed in acquisition negotiations, auction processes and strategy, the Protection of Objects Act 1975, conservation, and more, Charles offers comprehensive support in the art market.
Artworks can be valued based on a variety of criteria - some of these are listed below.

Valuation Methodologies

Market Valuation/Appraisal

This valuation reflects the price an asset would achieve if sold in the open market at the date of valuation. It assumes a willing buyer and a willing seller, both acting knowledgeably, prudently, and without compulsion. Market Value is typically used in scenarios such as sales, acquisitions, and financial disclosures. It may be influenced by factors such as provenance, condition, rarity, and current market demand, and is generally determined through analysis of recent comparable sales.

Insurance Valuation/Valuation for Replacement Purposes

This valuation reflects the cost of replacing an item with another of a similar type. It is the standard approach used by insurers for both general household policies and specialised cover such as art or collectibles.

Valuation for Financial Reporting Purposes

Under NZ IAS 16 and Treasury valuation guidelines, the appropriate basis is ‘fair value.’ This is commonly referred to as Market Value, Open Market Value, or Current Market Value. It represents the price at which an asset would change hands between two informed, willing parties in an arm’s-length transaction, with no undue pressure on either side.

Post-Loss Valuation

Used to determine compensation following a loss under an existing insurance policy. This is based on the Replacement Value — that is, the cost to replace the lost item with another of comparable type and quality.

Estate Division Valuation

This applies the Forecast Realisable Value, which estimates the expected price items would fetch at auction as of the specified valuation date.

Relationship Property Division Valuation

In line with the Relationship Property Act, this valuation also uses the Forecast Realisable Value method — meaning the anticipated sale price at auction on the nominated date.

Plan Your Visit

The gallery is located on the first floor of the La Gonda Building, 203 Karangahape Road. It faces Karangahape Road directly and can be accessed from both Karangahape Road and Poynton Terrace. Elevator access is available from both entrances, and parking is available for gallery visitors.

Entrances

Karangahape Road

Stairwell Access: A set of double doors on the far right-hand side of the building provides the most direct access to the gallery via a staircase leading straight to the first floor. These doors are open during business hours and on Saturdays while the gallery is open.
Elevator Access: To the left of the stairwell entrance is another set of double doors leading into a covered arcade. At the end of this arcade is an elevator that provides access to Level 1. These doors are open during business hours but may be locked on weekends. If you require elevator access and find the doors closed, please contact Charles on his mobile.

Poynton Terrace Entrance and Parking

Poynton Terrace runs parallel to Karangahape Road between Queen Street and Pitt Street, alongside Myers Park. It can be accessed via Pitt Street. Please note that roadworks related to the Central Rail Link construction may obscure the Poynton Terrace entrance.
Gallery parking is located at the rear of the La Gonda Building and is accessible via Poynton Terrace. The rear of the building is easily identifiable by the large Misery mural. Parking spaces are clearly marked with gallery signage.
Entry to the building is via a set of double doors at the rear. Once inside, turn immediately to your right to find the elevator, which provides access to the first floor. Please note that this entrance may not always be unlocked. If access is required, please contact Charles on his mobile.

Images