An exhibition of more than 80 pieces of artwork by the anonymous street artist Banksy is on in Auckland.

More than 80 of his masterpieces are on loan from collectors from around the world, and are showing at the Aotea Centre.

Project manager Stephen Swift said Banksy has been without a doubt an influential contributor to pop culture.

"We're really tried to convey the history of the artist. So we have some early works going back to the 90s when he was working with Blur. He produced an album cover for Blur, a poster for Greenpeace."

The artist started his career as a freehand graffiti artist in the underground scene in Bristol, in the UK.

The pieces on show include his famous painting 'Girl and Balloon'.

Project manager Stephen Swift believes the work will really resonate with Kiwis.

"There's a great history of street art right here in New Zealand. It has never been hard to find good quality street art.

"I think there is a great appreciation amongst New Zealanders for contemporary art."

There has been plenty of speculation about the identity of the renown graffiti painter over the years, but he still remains unidentified.

The artist received an Oscar nomination in 2011 for his documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop.

The exhibition is on at the Aotea Centre.