A record-breaking number of entries has resulted in 53 artworks being selected for the 2025 National Contemporary Art Award (NCAA), with finalists from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

With a prize pool of more than $30,000, this prestigious competition is organised and hosted by Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery and reveals the cutting edge of Aotearoa New Zealand art through its fair, blind-judging process.

Liz Cotton, Director Museum and Arts, said the ever-increasing number of entries reflects the level of interest. NCAA entries reached record-breaking levels in 2022 with more than 300 entries, then topped in 2023 with 420, and now more than 480 in 2025. (The previously annual competition was moved to a biennial cycle in 2023).

“It’s astounding this has happened for a third time in a row. Hundreds of entries have poured in from Aotearoa New Zealand artists at all stages of their careers, exceeding all our expectations. This reflects the vibrancy of the nation’s art scene and the essential role art plays in our society, as well as the importance of our philanthropic partners who enable us to offer such generous prizes.”

Leading New Zealand law firm Tompkins Wake is the principal sponsor, having supported the awards since 2014, providing the life-changing prize of $20,000 for the winner of the National Contemporary Art Award. The Runner-Up Award of $7500 is provided by the Hugo Charitable Trust Award. The Friends of the Museum and Gallery and the Random Art Group provide Merit Awards of $1000 each.

Judge for the 2025 NCAA competition, Nigel Borell MNZM, assessed the submissions through an anonymised online portal. The selection of award winners, will be done in-situ before the gallery is opened to the public.

Borell is currently Curator Taonga Māori at Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, and is of Pirirakau, Ngaati Ranginui, Ngaai Te Rangi, Te Whakatoohea tribal descent. He has had an active role in the arts and culture sector spanning the past 25 years and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022.

This year’s exhibition of finalists will be held at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery from Friday 1 August — Sunday 16 November 2025 and entry is free.

For more information visit www.tewharetaonga.nz/NCAA

National Contemporary Art Award finalists for 2025

• 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, Gore
• 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

© Scoop Media