World Press Photo And Doc Edge Comes To Auckland In Landmark Exhibition Merger

World Press Photo and Doc Edge unites global photojournalism and immersive storytelling for the first time in Aotearoa.

Doc Edge Festival and the Rotary Club of Auckland are proud to announce World Press Photo & Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition 2026, a landmark new exhibition that merges the internationally acclaimed World Press Photo Exhibition with the Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition into a single, unmissable cultural event.

Running 24 June to 12 July 2026 at the iconic Smith & Caughey building in Auckland's CBD, World Press Photo & Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition 2026 will be a ticketed centrepiece of the 21st annual Doc Edge Festival, and the largest exhibition of its kind in the Asia-Pacific.

Two World-Class Exhibitions. One Extraordinary Experience.

The World Press Photo Exhibition is one of the most respected showcases of photojournalism on the planet. The 2026 edition presents the work of 42 awarded photographers, selected from over 57,000 entries submitted by photographers across 141 countries. These images bear witness to the defining moments of our time, from conflict and crisis to resilience, resistance, and the quiet dignity of human life, and have been seen by millions of people across more than 60 cities worldwide.

Alongside it, the Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition, the Asia-Pacific home for digital storytelling and immersive non-fiction, invites audiences to step beyond the photograph and inside the story. Through virtual reality, interactive installation, and sensory-driven experiences, it breaks the barrier between observer and participant, creating deep, personal connections to real-world narratives.

Together, the exhibition creates a journey from seeing to feeling, from bearing witness to becoming part of the story.

Steve Corbett, President, Rotary Club of Auckland, said: "The Rotary Club of Auckland is delighted to support the arts in Auckland by bringing the 2026 World Press Photo Exhibition together with Doc Edge to create a unique cultural experience that combines powerful visual storytelling with immersive media for Auckland audiences."

Dan Shanan, Executive Director, Doc Edge, said: "The merger of World Press Photo Exhibition and Doc Edge Immersive is a perfect synergy. Documentary photography and immersive storytelling share a common purpose — to connect audiences with powerful real-world stories. Together, we are creating a unique event that celebrates documentary in all its forms, and the largest of its kind in the Asia-Pacific."

The Doc Edge Festival runs from 24 June – 12 July in Auckland, 15 – 26 July in Wellington, 31 July – 2 August in Christchurch and 27 July – 10 August on the Doc Edge Virtual Cinema. The full Doc Edge Festival programme will be announced on 15 May.

Exhibition Details

• Event: World Press Photo & Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition 2026
• Part of: Doc Edge Festival 2026
• Dates: 24 June – 12 July 2026
• Venue: Smith & Caughey Building, Auckland CBD
• Tickets: Available at docedge.nz from 15 May 2026
• Presented by: Doc Edge Festival and the Rotary Club of Auckland

About Doc Edge Festival

Doc Edge is New Zealand's national organisation for documentary and an Oscar®-qualifying international festival. Since 2004, Doc Edge has championed documentary storytelling in all its forms — film, immersive, interactive, and photographic — reaching audiences across cinemas, exhibitions, schools, and industry platforms. Now in its 21st year, the Doc Edge Festival is one of the most significant documentary events in the Asia-Pacific. docedge.nz

About the World Press Photo Foundation

The World Press Photo Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation whose mission is to support and strengthen visual journalism and documentary photography worldwide. Each year, its annual contest and global touring exhibition connect millions of people to the stories that matter. worldpressphoto.org

worldpressphotoexhibitionauckland.co.nz

About the Rotary Club of Auckland

The Rotary Club of Auckland is one of New Zealand's oldest and most active Rotary clubs, committed to service, community, and cultural enrichment across Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond. rotaryauckland.club

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