Ms Hammonds (34) was looking forward to the ''big challenge'' of working at the Dunedin gallery.
''It's an excellent opportunity. I can't wait.''
She was aiming to start work in mid-May after finishing as curator of design and art collections at Museum Theatre Gallery in Napier.
''I wanted to move into a new role with new challenges and this was a great fit - a really exciting opportunity.''
She was interested in the ''breadth of the collection'' at the Dunedin gallery.
''It stands from the forefront of contemporary practice, right through to historic and decorative art.''
She was born and educated in Auckland and moved to Napier in 2007 for the curator position.
She had never lived in the South Island and was moving with her husband and two young children.
