Welcome to Festival Zone for Matariki late June 2025

Auckland Festival of Photography’s annual 24-hour day in the life of Auckland -  Tāmaki Makaurau competition took place over 24 hours Friday 6th to Saturday 7th June, with the hundreds of entries submitted adding to an archive of more than 15,000 unique images of Auckland -  Tāmaki Makaurau taken since the competition began. 

Sarah Macmillan - After Rugby Practice

1st place - Sarah Macmillan - After Rugby Practice - 1st Prize 2025 Auckland Photo Day

Taken Friday 6th June

Sarah, a grandmother and avid photography enthusiast, says "Can’t believe it, it was such a fluke that I was there, as my daughter was stuck in traffic Friday afternoon and asked me to go and pick up my grandson, who is 11 years old after his rugby practice at Silverdale Rugby Club, so I wasn’t expecting to be there and I didn’t use my DSLR as I didn’t have it with, this was taken on my phone!". Sarah wins a brand new Fujfilm X series half camera.

Our judge’s comment: “A everyday scene of a child after a sporting event in Auckland's North Shore, the photographer capturing a fleeting image of this kid's journey. The composition is excellent: lots of angles and geometries, shades of green and the child's posture, as if burdened by the expectations of what the day might hold. The sign on the nearby container saying, 'You Can Do Anything', while a cherry picker and a sewer sit on the upper frame add a touch of humour and depth.” Judges for the 2025 Auckland Photo Day were Alex Burton, Photojournalist, Janette Dalley, Director Visuals, Freelance and Federico Monsalve, former editor D Photo Magazine.

Jiongxin Peng: Take a Group Photo

2nd place - Jiongxin Peng - Take a Group Photo - 2nd Prize 2025 Auckland Photo Day
 
Taken Saturday 7th June
 
Jiongxin said "This photo was taken at Hobsonville Point, on Saturday morning after the market in the morning, this was a family moment being shared with a 'selfie' of the group. I like the group scene and it’s a photography moment, so it’s really good to win this prize"

 Judge’s comment: "Candid and relaxed, this image demonstrates a good command of technical skills. It stands out as an excellent example of street photography, capturing a moment that invites the viewer to ask questions — about the scene, the people, and the unfolding story. The judges appreciated how it reflects the rich multicultural character of the City of Sails."

Nathan Smith: Jaguar

3rd place - Best new entrant U25 - Nathan Smith - Jaguar - Best New U25 Prize 2025 Auckland Photo Day
 
Taken Saturday 7th June

Nathan said "I run this event, Motor Sport Club from University of Auckland at Smales Farm, Takapuna, it’s a car fan meet up where everyone enjoys looking at these classic motors, I was documenting the event, and this one was a spur of the moment shot of this awesome car".

Judge’s comment: "Shows strong lines and clever use of framing and colour to incorporate both people and car"

Congratulations to the winners and those selected in our annual Top 30 collection for Auckland Photo Day. We hope you enjoy the judge’s picks. Thanks to Fujifilm NZ for the prizes.

If you want to be the judge you can vote in our People’s Choice prize for your favourite photo from the judges long list, they selected these from all entries and so it's your turn to pick your favourites. The announcement of 2025’s Auckland Photo Day winners marks the end of 2025's successful festival, which included more than 85+ online, in venue and outdoor exhibitions across the region, including many exploring the ‘Sustain’ theme. Some exhibitions continue this weekend, Festival events and activities can be found on our calendar.

Communities Connection Photo HN logo


Alex Mao Youth Photo Award 2025

Image Auckland [Tāmaki Makaurau] is running the 7th annual Alex Mao Youth Photo Award. Award entries open now: Until 5pm 30 June 2025. Terms and conditions apply

Winners announced: July 2025

Alex Mao 1st place- Amazing package of grant, camera and printing equipment!

1st place grant $1200 + Harvey Norman products value RRP $4478

2nd place prize includes $500 print voucher from  Print Art Fine Art Imaging. More prizes here, 2nd and 3rd place, enter your work now.
Aileen Chen; Rainer and Cat 2023

Aileen Chen; Rainer and Cat (2023) - 1st place winner Youth Photo Award 2024


Ardit Hoxha & Theo Macdonald - Labyrinth

The Auckland Festival of Photography is proud to present an exclusive showcase by New Zealand artists Ardit Hoxha and Theo Macdonald.  Labyrinth brings together the works of Hoxha and Macdonald, produced during their 2024 Kōwhai Residencies in Tokyo, Japan.

The exhibition is grounded by a mutual interest in walking, urbanity, and the obsolesced. Shop 17, The Strand Arcade, Elliott Street. Closes 27th June.

Thanks to Central and Gulf Islands Creative Communities.

Theo Mcdonald; Stingray - Tomioka

Theo Macdonald; Stingray - Tomioka


Kōwhai residency 2025 open call

The Kōwhai Residency (c), which is for New Zealand based photographic/visual imaging artists who are keen to take a step internationally and have professional development time in Japan.

This is a photography-based residency in one the world's best cities and is an exclusive cultural innovation for NZ - Japan photographic ties.

We have established two residencies in our programme, Research - around August/Sept and Creator residency around November/December each year, 2023-2025.

The Research residency is open now , offering return economy flight to Tokyo from Auckland, 5 weeks accommodation and a weekly cash stipend and weekly mentor session with our Japanese residency partner, T3 Tokyo Photo Festival founder & director, Ihiro Hayami. Value of the above is NZ$8500, supporting your practice, concept and research.

Deadline now until 21st June, an open call for applications for the 2025 Kōwhai research residency. Terms and conditions apply.

Sponsored by The Bass Player Ltd and the Auckland Festival of Photography Trust.

Japan; Tokyo Nightlife


What's On - Correction

Sara Tautuku Orme, Darling – Tēnei Au, Pah Homestead, Hillsborough this Thursday - opening function 26th June 6pm. Darling – Tēnei Au is a photographic series exploring whakapapa, whenua, and wairua.

Sara Tautuku Orme; Darling Ward - Tarawera Awa
Image by Sara Tautuku Orme; Darling Ward, Tarawera Ara
 
More on Festival events and activities can be found on our calendar.

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