A photoacoustic image generation apparatus includes: a puncture needle that generates photoacoustic waves； an ultrasound probe that detects the photoacoustic waves and reflected ultrasonic waves reflected by the transmission of ultrasonic waves； a Processor that generates a Doppler signal on the basis of the reflected ultrasonic waves from a sample gate as a Doppler measurement target, that generates a photoacoustic image on the basis of the photoacoustic waves, and that detects the position of a tip portion of the puncture needle on the basis of the photoacoustic image； and a controller that sets the sample gate at a position which is a predetermined distance away from the detected position of the tip portion of the puncture needle and sets the sample gate, following movement of the tip portion of the puncture needle, in a state in which the distance is maintained.
