More than 677,000 visitors have walked through the doors of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki since it opened its doors in September last year.

In its first year, the gallery drew in 326,804 first-time visitors, while its new hands-on Learning Centre has been visited by more than 126,000 creative art lovers.

Aucklanders have been quick to adopt the gallery as a cultural outing, with around 73 per cent of visitors coming from the region.

The renowned Degas to Dali exhibition earlier this year drew in more than 99,000 visitors alone.

"We have had an amazing public and critical response and been hugely encouraged by the feedback," said Chris Saines, gallery director.

"Aucklanders have made visiting the Gallery a regular part of their lives, exploring the frequently changing landscape of 32 exhibitions and collection displays presented since re-opening."

Since reopening, the gallery has notched up 12 awards, including Project Achievement Award for Museum or Gallery development, a New Zealand Architecture Medal, the Rider Levett Bucknall Supreme Award from the Property Council of New Zealand, and the 2012 International Award from the Royal Institute of British Architect.

Saines was also awarded the Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honour of Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his service to the arts.

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