National Contemporary Art Award 2025

Exhibition

Coming Soon

Free Entry

See this year's finalists

Brave, colourful, and never shy. The art of now.

The National Contemporary Art Award showcases the cutting edge of Aotearoa New Zealand contemporary art.

Ua
When

1st August 2025 - 16th November 2025
10am to 5pm daily

Utu
Cost

Free

Exhibition coming soon

With a cash prize pool of more than $30,000 and egalitarian ‘blind judging’ process, the National Contemporary Art Award competition has brought the cutting edge of Aotearoa New Zealand art to Kirikiriroa Hamilton since it was established in 2000.

This year's finalists

Lizzi Yates, Waikanae

Lyndy Wilson, Ngaaruawaahia

Tim Wigmore and Reeve Hokopaura, Ngaamotu New Plymouth

Cora-Allan Twiss, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Jon Tootill, Papakura

Debbie Tipuna, Tauranga

Jodie Tipa, Ngaamotu New Plymouth

Amber Timpany, Waihopai Invercargill

Katherine Throne, Waanaka

Dean Strickland, Waihii Beach

Andy Spain, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Aida Smith, Upper Hutt

Merthyr Ruxton, Warkworth

Kelly Rowe, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Jessie Randles, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Stephen Penny, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Rowan Panther, Kaitaia

Shelley Norton, Pukerau

Ella Grace Nicol, Kirikiriroa Hamilton

Francisco Naude, Kirikiriroa Hamilton

Leanne Mulder, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Brian Morris, Dunedin Ootepoti

Logan Moffat, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Jess Metuariki, Porirua

Mark Meecham, Ootepoti Dunedin

Alice Jeesu McDonald, Whanganui

Hannah Maurice, Waiheke

Jimmy James Kouratoras, Port Waikato

Tae Jun Kim, Drury

Helen Kerridge, Ahuriri Napier

Kim Ireland, Whakatuu Nelson

Dylan Huata-Lucas, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Natalie Holland, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Tui Hobson, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Robyn Gibson, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

James Ford, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Zena Elliott, Kirikiriroa Hamilton

Lang Ea, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Sudhir Duppati, Kirikiriroa Hamilton

Donna Dinsdale, Te Puke

Antony Densham, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Garry Currin, Warkworth

Deborah Crowe, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Pio Coombes, Waihii Beach

Hana Carpenter, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Israel Birch, Ashhurst

Sean Beldon, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Helen Beech, Kawakawa

David Austin, Kirikiriroa Hamilton

Dita Angeles, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland

Amy Al Chakif, Rotorua

George Agius, Feilding

Brett a'Court, Te Tai Tokerau Northland 

Sponsors

Ngaa mihi nui to our sponsors whose generosity supplies the cash prize pool of more than $30,000.

Leading New Zealand law firm Tompkins Wake is the Award’s principal sponsor, generously providing the career-defining cash prize of $20,000 to the Award winner.

Interested in supporting the arts?

Get in touch to discuss partnership opportunities for the National Contemporary Art Award.

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