Welcome to Festival Zone for 3rd week May 2026.

 Auckland Photo Day 2026

Only 2.5 weeks to go! Our annual day in the life of Auckland is on Saturday 6^th June

If you’re planning a group outing, maybe meet at any gallery that is open on 6^th June, take in a show or see an outdoor exhibition around the Festival, or join in at The Annex, Brand Ambassador talks and then get started?

Plan your day, your shoot or just capture the moments that present themselves. Your photo, your day, one city -24 hours - Auckland Photo Day 2026

Save the date 6^th June 2026.

Prizes supported by Fujifilm NZ.

Terms and conditions apply. Read our FAQ. Image above by Andy Tao – Battle in The Box, North Shore 2025

See our Auckland Photo Day display from previous years entries around the region at AT Bus Stops, thanks to QMS. Make your journey more visual, at bus stops around the region.

Brand Ambassador Day

Brand Ambassador Day event supported by Harvey Norman: Two afternoons of talks, a panel and interactions with some leading professional photographers, who will share stories about their photographic journey and how and why they shoot how they do.

It's educational and free, so do come along!

Canon Ambassador, Richard Robinson presents on his incredible underwater imagery on Saturday 6^th June, 1.45pm.

Richard is an award-winning photojournalist, specialising in, but not limited to the marine environment. With a 28-year career in magazines and newspapers, he has captured some of the most memorable images of New Zealand's biggest news and sporting events. Using his talents to highlight the plights of our Ocean’s, he gives voice to our endangered species and is known for his unique and haunting images of life below the waterline.

Don’t miss this session, plus enjoy complimentary drinks and nibbles including coffee, juice and snacks available. (unless already eaten!).

2 days only. Midday start, on 5^th and 6^th June 2026. Photograph by Jason Burton of Richard Robinson  - Journey into the world of New Zealand's longfin Eels

Celebrating NZ artists 2026

Coming soon in late May and early June are leading artists work, presented both by galleries and artist led exhibitions, we recommend these as a starting point for collectors and our community.

Conor Clarke, Rongo – Two Rooms. Image by Conor Clarke - Beak.

RANGE - Eyes on Fire Gallery

RANGE presents a group of eleven artists situated around Aotearoa (and the UK) drawn together by a shared interest in analogue photographic processes. These diverse works confess a yearning for deeper engagement with place and material, realized, over time, by working in collaboration with place and material.

Wu – Kumeu Arts

Fang Yuan’s series “Wu – Everything is Empty.” “Wu” describes a state before things are clearly defined, a space where forms are still emerging. Horizons dissolve and subtle colour fields shift leaving almost no fixed subject and inviting viewers to slow down and sense light, distance, and atmosphere. The work connects with the theme Movement [Kori], reflecting ideas of migration, belonging, and transition. Image by Fang Yuan, Wu – Everything is Empty 02, Everything is Empty.

More leading exhibition artists and full details on our new redeveloped the Calendar this year

Online highlight

Image by Rawan Saadi - There Are People

From his series 'Other Than War', he says 'You may not recognise this place but odds are you’ve seen parts of it before. It’s Erbil, a city in Northern Iraq. A name that likely brings to mind images of war. During times of conflict, on the ground footage is important. But other than war this is my place of origin. Other than war this can be a vibrant city, with busy markets, picturesque mountain views and brightly lit mosques'

NZ Music Month late May