Welcome to Festival Zone for early May 2026.
Exhibitor Artist Award 2026
AFP is delighted to present the 9th Exhibition Award for the participating artists, groups, clubs in the 2026 Festival who submitted an exhibition to be in our joint programme of exhibitions, activities and presentations.
The 9th annual Exhibitor Artist Award will take place again in June 2026 boasting a NZ$500 grant prize for a participating artist, of group of artists exhibition in the 2026 Festival - who are eligible to apply.
NZ artists/photographers participating in the festival are the primary allies of the annual Festival, and since 2017 over NZ$19,250 in Award money has been distributed to support NZ photographers through this Artist/Exhibitor award. Awardee announced in July.
Follow all the news and updates for 2026 Festival on the Festival Social Media.
Celebrating NZ artists 2026
Coming soon in late May and early June are leading artists work, presented by both galleries and artist led exhibitions, we recommend these as a starting point for collectors and our community.
Mickey Smith, Sacrosanct - Sanderson, Newmarket
Hereford Vol III, 2025, Archival pigment print, 1020 x 1550 mm, by Mickey Smith
Plus
Ann Shelton, i am an old phenomenon – Two Rooms, Ponsonby
Jenny Tomlin & Faye Norman, Cross Track – Cellblock, Studio One, Ponsonby
Viky Garden, Phantasms - Orex Art, Ponsonby
More leading exhibition artists and full details on our new redeveloped the Calendar this year
Regional reach
Our 23rd Festival continues its regional reach, since 2007 we've had exhibitions, events and circuits from Rodney to Pukekohe, Piha to Howick. If you are out and about across the region in late May, the Festival’s joint programming is everywhere, some early shows are open and more to come, this is just a sample of ones from Waiuku to Birkenhead, something for everyone. Go see a local show!
Stable Light Gallery, Waiuku – The Onion Field
Papakura Museum – Craig Madsen, Whakaahua
Mangere Markets – Vinesh Kumaran
Chindaovanh Siphanonneua & Inhong Vongkhamdy, Mangere by Vinesh Kumaran
Birkenhead, North Shore – Michael North
Devonport Library, North Shore – Francesca Brugnoli
Online programme 2026
Our Festival is delighted to offer an eclectic online edition for 2026 Festival, you can view great digital displays from a stable of NZ photographers, including AIPA, the professional advertising, illustration photography association with their bounce off our theme plus there’s international works too.
Whether you’re on the bus, at work, in school or hanging out at home this programme is free and open access. On your phone, tablet, laptop or any Wi-Fi capable screen this is for you, in Auckland or not, in New Zealand or not.
Participating artists, groups details here -
Image above by AIPA, Ashley.
Portfolio Reviews - 29 May 2026
Fujfilm NZ hosts this informal mix and mingle opportunity on the North Shore, at their 'House of Photography' between 12pm and 1pm.
Then following a break, there will be free portfolio reviews with these experienced curators, editors and educators from 1.30pm until 3pm for dedicated photographers. Slots are filling fast, dont miss out!
Maggie Steber, USA, Pullitzer Prize co-finalist for photojournalism feature shares her knowledge, 2018.
Lissa Mitchell, NZ is a photography curator and writer based in Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington where she holds a curatorial role at Te Papa.
Naoko OHTA, Japan is president and CEO of Klee, Inc., which provides a wide range of art-related services, and executive director, Karuizawa Foto Festival, Japan.
Shen Chao-Liang's career spans photojournalism, professorship roles, and convening the Photo ONE Taipei International Image Art Festival. He is exhibiting at the Festival.
Hideko Kataoka is Photo Editor, Curator and Educator. As Director of Photography at Newsweek Japan, she created the ‘Picture Power’ section, a weekly photojournalism essay.
Bookings essential only 6 slots left on 29 May, or more slots to book 31st May session in the city. Email us at info.photo.festival@xtra.co.nz to book in by 22nd May 2026.
Thanks to the Gerrrad and Marti Friedlander Trust and Fujifilm NZ.
