The Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award 2026 is proudly sponsored by Walker & Hall in association with the Waiheke Art Gallery.

This is a National Award for two dimensional works in any medium and has a Prize of $10,000 as the Premier Award.

The Zinni Douglas Merit Award for a Waiheke artist  - $1000

Michael Evans Award for a figurative Work - $1000

Church Bay People's Choice Award - $2500

Gordon Harris Award - $500 voucher

The selector and judge this year is Dick Frizzell. He is one of New Zealand’s most widely known and celebrated painters. With a remarkably diverse repertoire of imagery and styles, Frizzell has created a unique body of work.

Generously supported by the Waiheke Local Board, Skin Institute Waiheke and Gordon Harris.

Entries Open now and CLOSE 5pm Friday 18 September.

Download an Information Form HERE

Enter online below. If you are unable to enter online contact us at: [email protected]

Key Dates

17 July: Entries Open

18 September: Closing date for Entries 

28 September: Artists advised of selection results. (Please note that given the large volume of applications this date has changed from that advised earlier).    

9 October: Selected works received at the Gallery. Gallery Hours 10am - 4pm, 7 days.

Friday 16 October: Exhibition opens 6pm

Saturday 17 October: Awards Ceremony

29 November: Exhibition Closes 4pm. Unsold works available for collection

Criteria

• The exhibition is open to any New Zealand resident upon payment of entry fee (non refundable) $55.
• This is an award for two dimensional work in any medium no larger than 1200mm in height or length.
• Entry requires one work per entry (you can enter two works, one per entry). Every work must be original, the sole work of the artist, must have been completed within the last year and must be for sale. 
• WAG reserves the right to decline to accept any entry.
• The Judge's decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
• If your work is selected, it will need to arrive at the Gallery no later than Friday 9 October 2026.
• Work must be presented ready for exhibition hanging.
• Poorly presented work may be disqualified.
• The Gallery reserves the right to reproduce selected work for publicity purposes.

image: 2025 Premiere Award Winner Ann Shelton - All The Blue Flowers Follow The Sun