SPONSORS, WINNERS AND JUDGES
1986 INAUGURAL AWARD
Shell Oil - Major award prize $1000
Winner - Margaret Porter (Hamilton)
Title - Pongakawa Valley
Judge - John Perry
1987
Shell Oil - Major award prize $2000
(Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - $500 prize for painting with BOP theme)
Winner - Jenny Dolezel (Auckland)
Title - The Night Out
Judge - John Stacpoole
1988
Shell Oil - Major award prize $2000
(Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - $500 prize for painting with BOP theme)
Winner Major Award - Bill Moore (Christchurch)
Title - The Ohope Craft Market
Judge – John Gow
1989
Shell Oil - Major award prize $3000
(Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - $500 prize for painting with BOP theme)
Winner Major Award - Daniel Mounsey (Golden Bay)
Title - Kamikaze Lady
Judge – Trish Clark
1990
Tasman NZ - Major award prize $3000
(Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - $500 prize for painting with BOP theme)
Winner Major Award - Gary Freemantle (Eastern Bay of Plenty)
Title - Sandhills Near Thornton
Judge - Bill Milbank
1991
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Joanna Braithwaite (Christchurch)
Title - Small NZ Still Life
Judge - John Scott
1992
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Kalvin Collins
Title - Something for your mind, body and soul
Judge - Helen Kedgley
1993
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Peter Waddell
Title - Mapping the Gulf
Judge - John Daly-Peoples
1994
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Jenny Dolezel (Auckland)
Title - Then and Now
Judge - Jacqueline Fahey
1995
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Karen Butterworth
Title -The Dynamism of Revenge
Judge - Jacob Scott
1996
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Nicholas Raftopoulos
Title - Working Out
Judge - Nigel Brown
1997
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Judith Moore-Chisholm
Title - Te Oranga Ngakau
Judge - Shelly Ryde
1998
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Latham Gaines (Whangaporoa)
Title - Rangitoto Fish Story
Judge - John Eaden
July 1999 (Inaugural 3D Ceramic Award)
Winner - Lurlene Christiansen (Whanganui)
Title - Tagaloa, gai-tosi, gai-va’a va’a
Judge - Bryce Stevens
1999
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Peter Stitchbury (Auckland)
Title - Study for Bleibtreu Strasse– Cordelia
Judge - Jonathan Mane-Wheoki
2000
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Helen Lees (Manawahe)
Title - Pink Beret
Judge - Marie Cass
2001
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $4000
Winner - Ron Hall (Rotorua)
Title - Box Exposed
Judge - Barry Lett
2002
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Rozi Demant (Whakatane)
Title - The Performers
Judge - Carole Shepherd
2003
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $4000
Winner - Jim Thomas (Whakatane)
Title - Raetihi Fence Line
Judge - Michael Smither
2004
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner – Grant Whibley (TeAroha)
Title - Te Whiti and Te Toha in Reflection
Judge - Joan Fear
2005
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Joint Winners – Luke Hollis (TePuke) & Sofia Minson (Auckland)
Titles - The Veil of Lynnaire (Luke Hollis), & Saffron Monk (Sofia Minson)
Judge – Simon Ogden
2006
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner – Peata Larkin (Rotorua)
Title – Whati2.com.ptng
Judge - Michael Armstrong
2007
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner - Gary Freemantle (Wellington)
Title – Tux
Judge: Jonathan Mane-Wheoki
2008
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner - Kereama Taepa
Title – Baby Girl
Judge: Ross Hemera
2009
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner - Jennifer Majeski (Queenstown)
Title – Samantha’s World
Judge: Richard Fahey
2010
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Belinda Griffiths (Auckland)
Title – Amongst Strangers
Judge: Henry Symonds
2011
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Evan Woodruffe (Auckland)
Title – Untitled (02-14)
Judge: Jennifer Buckley
2012
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Joint Winners - Virginia Leonard (Warkworth) and Jasmine Middlebrook (New Plymouth)
Titles - Fairy (Virginia Leonard), I’m Happy This Way (Jasmine MiddleBrook)
Judge: Marilynn Webb
2013
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Ian McKelvey (Whakatane)
Title –Main Ridge Pakihiroa Station
Judge - Melvin (Pat) Day
2014 (Aug)
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5,000 for 3D
3D Winner - Ben Pearce
Title - unknown
Judge
2014
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - Peter Miller (Auckland)
Title – Fun Ho!
Judge: Dr Victoria Edwards
2015
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Frances Hansen (Auckland)
Title – Pinch of Salt
Judge: Matthew Browne
2016
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5,000 for 3D
Joint Winners - Jasmin Te Hira (Auckland) and Floyd Perry
Titles - The Beauty of Invisible Grief (Jasmin Te Hira), Waka (Floyd Perry)
Judge: Kim Patron
2016
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - Hugo Lindsay (Auckland)
Title – Swipe or Tilt
Judge : Richard Fahey
2017
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - Kirstin Carlin (New Lynn)
Title - Through the Trees (Thirteen)
Judge : Felicity Milburn
2019
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - John Brown
Title - The Battle for Tuber
Judge: Christopher McAuliffe
2020
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 3D
Winner – Sorowit Songsataya (Wellington)
Title - Morning Dew
Judge: Ruth Watson
2021
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - Hannah Ireland (Auckland)
Title – They Laughed, I Cried
Judge – Karl Chitham
2022
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 3D
Winner Melissa McMahon (Maungaturoto)
Title - Pink Bats
Judge - Bob Jahnke
2023 (First year of merged disciplines of 2D and 3D)
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Emily Hartley-Skudder
Title - Dishpan Hands
Judge - Kelcy Taratoa
2024 (2D and 3D)
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Elliot Collins (Auckland)
Title - Did you get the watercress I left you?
Judge - Andrew Clifford
2025
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner – Ngaroma Riley (Tamaki Makaurau Auckland)
Title – Fisher/Kai hi ika
Judge - Sonya Korohina
1986 INAUGURAL AWARD
Shell Oil - Major award prize $1000
Winner - Margaret Porter (Hamilton)
Title - Pongakawa Valley
Judge - John Perry
1987
Shell Oil - Major award prize $2000
(Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - $500 prize for painting with BOP theme)
Winner - Jenny Dolezel (Auckland)
Title - The Night Out
Judge - John Stacpoole
1988
Shell Oil - Major award prize $2000
(Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - $500 prize for painting with BOP theme)
Winner Major Award - Bill Moore (Christchurch)
Title - The Ohope Craft Market
Judge – John Gow
1989
Shell Oil - Major award prize $3000
(Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - $500 prize for painting with BOP theme)
Winner Major Award - Daniel Mounsey (Golden Bay)
Title - Kamikaze Lady
Judge – Trish Clark
1990
Tasman NZ - Major award prize $3000
(Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - $500 prize for painting with BOP theme)
Winner Major Award - Gary Freemantle (Eastern Bay of Plenty)
Title - Sandhills Near Thornton
Judge - Bill Milbank
1991
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Joanna Braithwaite (Christchurch)
Title - Small NZ Still Life
Judge - John Scott
1992
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Kalvin Collins
Title - Something for your mind, body and soul
Judge - Helen Kedgley
1993
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Peter Waddell
Title - Mapping the Gulf
Judge - John Daly-Peoples
1994
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Jenny Dolezel (Auckland)
Title - Then and Now
Judge - Jacqueline Fahey
1995
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Karen Butterworth
Title -The Dynamism of Revenge
Judge - Jacob Scott
1996
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Nicholas Raftopoulos
Title - Working Out
Judge - Nigel Brown
1997
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Judith Moore-Chisholm
Title - Te Oranga Ngakau
Judge - Shelly Ryde
1998
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Latham Gaines (Whangaporoa)
Title - Rangitoto Fish Story
Judge - John Eaden
July 1999 (Inaugural 3D Ceramic Award)
Winner - Lurlene Christiansen (Whanganui)
Title - Tagaloa, gai-tosi, gai-va’a va’a
Judge - Bryce Stevens
1999
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Peter Stitchbury (Auckland)
Title - Study for Bleibtreu Strasse– Cordelia
Judge - Jonathan Mane-Wheoki
2000
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Helen Lees (Manawahe)
Title - Pink Beret
Judge - Marie Cass
2001
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $4000
Winner - Ron Hall (Rotorua)
Title - Box Exposed
Judge - Barry Lett
2002
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust - Major award prize $4000
Winner - Rozi Demant (Whakatane)
Title - The Performers
Judge - Carole Shepherd
2003
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $4000
Winner - Jim Thomas (Whakatane)
Title - Raetihi Fence Line
Judge - Michael Smither
2004
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner – Grant Whibley (TeAroha)
Title - Te Whiti and Te Toha in Reflection
Judge - Joan Fear
2005
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Joint Winners – Luke Hollis (TePuke) & Sofia Minson (Auckland)
Titles - The Veil of Lynnaire (Luke Hollis), & Saffron Monk (Sofia Minson)
Judge – Simon Ogden
2006
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner – Peata Larkin (Rotorua)
Title – Whati2.com.ptng
Judge - Michael Armstrong
2007
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner - Gary Freemantle (Wellington)
Title – Tux
Judge: Jonathan Mane-Wheoki
2008
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner - Kereama Taepa
Title – Baby Girl
Judge: Ross Hemera
2009
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5000
Winner - Jennifer Majeski (Queenstown)
Title – Samantha’s World
Judge: Richard Fahey
2010
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Belinda Griffiths (Auckland)
Title – Amongst Strangers
Judge: Henry Symonds
2011
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Evan Woodruffe (Auckland)
Title – Untitled (02-14)
Judge: Jennifer Buckley
2012
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Joint Winners - Virginia Leonard (Warkworth) and Jasmine Middlebrook (New Plymouth)
Titles - Fairy (Virginia Leonard), I’m Happy This Way (Jasmine MiddleBrook)
Judge: Marilynn Webb
2013
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Ian McKelvey (Whakatane)
Title –Main Ridge Pakihiroa Station
Judge - Melvin (Pat) Day
2014 (Aug)
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5,000 for 3D
3D Winner - Ben Pearce
Title - unknown
Judge
2014
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - Peter Miller (Auckland)
Title – Fun Ho!
Judge: Dr Victoria Edwards
2015
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Frances Hansen (Auckland)
Title – Pinch of Salt
Judge: Matthew Browne
2016
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $5,000 for 3D
Joint Winners - Jasmin Te Hira (Auckland) and Floyd Perry
Titles - The Beauty of Invisible Grief (Jasmin Te Hira), Waka (Floyd Perry)
Judge: Kim Patron
2016
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - Hugo Lindsay (Auckland)
Title – Swipe or Tilt
Judge : Richard Fahey
2017
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - Kirstin Carlin (New Lynn)
Title - Through the Trees (Thirteen)
Judge : Felicity Milburn
2019
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - John Brown
Title - The Battle for Tuber
Judge: Christopher McAuliffe
2020
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 3D
Winner – Sorowit Songsataya (Wellington)
Title - Morning Dew
Judge: Ruth Watson
2021
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 Painting and Drawing
Winner - Hannah Ireland (Auckland)
Title – They Laughed, I Cried
Judge – Karl Chitham
2022
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000 3D
Winner Melissa McMahon (Maungaturoto)
Title - Pink Bats
Judge - Bob Jahnke
2023 (First year of merged disciplines of 2D and 3D)
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Emily Hartley-Skudder
Title - Dishpan Hands
Judge - Kelcy Taratoa
2024 (2D and 3D)
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner - Elliot Collins (Auckland)
Title - Did you get the watercress I left you?
Judge - Andrew Clifford
2025
Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust Major award prize $10,000
Winner – Ngaroma Riley (Tamaki Makaurau Auckland)
Title – Fisher/Kai hi ika
Judge - Sonya Korohina
TIME LINE
1986 The Inugural award took place in January attracting 40 entries. Prize of $1000 and known as the Shell Art Award. Inaugural winner was Margaret Porter of Hamilton.It was housed in the Whakatāne District Memorial Complex.
1987 - 1989 - The award continues as Shell Art Award and by 1989 the prize had increased to $3000.
1990 - Known as Tasman Art Award for one year.
1991 - Known as Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award. The prize increased to $4000.
1999 - (In addition to painting and drawing, the first 3D ceramic awards took place mid-year). The winner was Lurlene Christiansen of Whanganui. This became an annual 3D event up until 2004 when it was not always held every year. Whereas the Painting and Drawing award continued every year in the Jan / Feb time slot.
2004 - Prize for Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award increased to $5000
2009 - Prize for Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award increased to $10,000
2010 - Upgrade of the branding of the award
2013 - The art award exhibition moved to the newly built Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre.
2016 - Branding progressed with the award being known as Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. (The word ‘Art’ dropped.)
2017 - Moved to online digital entry and included additional three pre-selection judges deciding on the works to form the exhibition. The sole guest judge only responsible for awarding the winners.
2018 - The 3D award moved to the February slot, with Painting and Drawing having a gap year. The award then alternated annually between the disciplines of painting and drawing and 3D. This elevated 3D art up to the same level in prize money as painting and drawing.
2023 - Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. First ‘open criteria’ merging of the disciplines including both 3D and Painting and Drawing. Molly Morpeth Canaday planning committee felt It was in line with national level contemporary art competitions. That it also made better use of the gallery space. Walls for hanging and floor space for objects. Brand progressed to recognise the change.
2024 - Open criteria continues
2025 - Open criteria continues
Thank you to Heather Hourigan for researching and compiling this information.
1986 The Inugural award took place in January attracting 40 entries. Prize of $1000 and known as the Shell Art Award. Inaugural winner was Margaret Porter of Hamilton.It was housed in the Whakatāne District Memorial Complex.
1987 - 1989 - The award continues as Shell Art Award and by 1989 the prize had increased to $3000.
1990 - Known as Tasman Art Award for one year.
1991 - Known as Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award. The prize increased to $4000.
1999 - (In addition to painting and drawing, the first 3D ceramic awards took place mid-year). The winner was Lurlene Christiansen of Whanganui. This became an annual 3D event up until 2004 when it was not always held every year. Whereas the Painting and Drawing award continued every year in the Jan / Feb time slot.
2004 - Prize for Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award increased to $5000
2009 - Prize for Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award increased to $10,000
2010 - Upgrade of the branding of the award
2013 - The art award exhibition moved to the newly built Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre.
2016 - Branding progressed with the award being known as Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. (The word ‘Art’ dropped.)
2017 - Moved to online digital entry and included additional three pre-selection judges deciding on the works to form the exhibition. The sole guest judge only responsible for awarding the winners.
2018 - The 3D award moved to the February slot, with Painting and Drawing having a gap year. The award then alternated annually between the disciplines of painting and drawing and 3D. This elevated 3D art up to the same level in prize money as painting and drawing.
2023 - Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. First ‘open criteria’ merging of the disciplines including both 3D and Painting and Drawing. Molly Morpeth Canaday planning committee felt It was in line with national level contemporary art competitions. That it also made better use of the gallery space. Walls for hanging and floor space for objects. Brand progressed to recognise the change.
2024 - Open criteria continues
2025 - Open criteria continues
Thank you to Heather Hourigan for researching and compiling this information.