2026
Entries Open 13 Apr > Earlybird before 17 Jul > Entries Deadline 31 Jul>
Finalists Notified 21 Sep >
Award Ceremony 14 Nov > Judge's Talk 15 Nov >
Exhibition 15 Nov 2026 - 20 Feb 2027
How will I be notified if I am a finalist?
The outcomes of pre-selection judging are via the website HERE
If I am asked to send my selected work in for the finalist exhibition, what do I do then?
You will be sent a link to an acceptance form detailing further instructions.
All works are to be delivered to Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi
Receiving Works :
Personal Deliveries - To Whakatāne Art Gallery - Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi, 49 Kākāhora Drive, Whakatāne between Monday 28th September - Wednesday 7th October (MON-FRI 10am - 4pm Sat 10am-1pm) otherwise by appointment [email protected]
Courier Deliveries - Works are to arrive between Monday 28th September - Wednesday 7th October – (Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm) to Whakatāne Art Gallery - Te kōputu a te whanga a Toi, 49 Kākāhora Drive, Whakatāne 3120, trade entrance via New World Service Lane.
Outgoing works:
Courier Pickups: If you do not plan to personally pick up your work you MUST provide a return courier ticket. If your work gets sold, we will return your unused ticket. Courier Return of works: Dispatch coordinated by Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi Exhibitions Team.
Personal Pick Ups:
Personal Collection of works: From Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi , Monday 8 March 2027 (9am - 5pm)
Otherwise by appointment.
Physical delivery address: Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi, 49 Kākāhoroa Drive, (trade entrance via New World Service Lane), Whakatāne 3120.
All works delivered and picked up outside of these dates and times must be pre-arranged with the gallery exhibition staff 07 306 0509 email [email protected]
ALL OTHER ENQUIRIES ARE TO BE MADE TO THE COORDINATOR [email protected]
Please note: Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi is NOT OPEN SUNDAYS
MMCA Exhibition location:Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi
Esplanade Mall, 49 Kākāhora Drive, Whakatāne 3120
Trade entrance is via New World Service Lane (Please note: Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi is not open to accept courier deliveries on weekends)
I understand there is a Youth Award. How young do I need to be to qualify as a 'youth'?
If you are age 25 years and under on November 14th 2026, you will qualify for the Youth Art Award.
All youth are judged on the same platform as the rest of the artists, and will be considered for all other awards.
There is no separate entry form - all artists are asked to indicate if they would like to be considered for the Youth Award on the entry form.
Tell me about the Mayor's Prize- (Local artist's award)
If you live in, or whakapapa to the Whakatāne region, you will qualify for the Mayor's Prize. You will be judged on the same platform as the rest of the artists, and will be considered for all other awards.
There is no separate entry form - artists are asked to indicate their locality and /or iwi on the entry form.
If I am asked to send my work in, how do I package it?
Keep in mind that your work will be unpacked by people who haven’t seen what is inside.
- Artwork packaging will be re-used where possible.
- For better protection and tape adhesion, bubbles on bubble wrap should face outwards.
- Avoid making large sheets of bubble wrap out of small sheets of bubble wrap UNLESS it is easily re-usable.
- Similarly, avoid making “Frankenstein” boxes that require extensive re-piecing.
- Avoid putting artwork faces in contact with packaging materials that are to be cut open.
- Ensure that package edges are well sealed.
- Make opening procedure clear – dash cut-lines, “open here” etc. are helpful.
When is the opening night?
Finalist's exhibition opening and announcement of winners is on Saturday November 14th 2026, 5:30 pm at Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi
Entry to Opening Night: As a selected finalist, you and a plus one receive complimentary tickets
Limited tickets will be available for purchase - drinks, nibbles and entertainment supplied.
The outcomes of pre-selection judging are via the website HERE
If I am asked to send my selected work in for the finalist exhibition, what do I do then?
You will be sent a link to an acceptance form detailing further instructions.
All works are to be delivered to Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi
Receiving Works :
Personal Deliveries - To Whakatāne Art Gallery - Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi, 49 Kākāhora Drive, Whakatāne between Monday 28th September - Wednesday 7th October (MON-FRI 10am - 4pm Sat 10am-1pm) otherwise by appointment [email protected]
Courier Deliveries - Works are to arrive between Monday 28th September - Wednesday 7th October – (Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm) to Whakatāne Art Gallery - Te kōputu a te whanga a Toi, 49 Kākāhora Drive, Whakatāne 3120, trade entrance via New World Service Lane.
Outgoing works:
Courier Pickups: If you do not plan to personally pick up your work you MUST provide a return courier ticket. If your work gets sold, we will return your unused ticket. Courier Return of works: Dispatch coordinated by Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi Exhibitions Team.
Personal Pick Ups:
Personal Collection of works: From Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi , Monday 8 March 2027 (9am - 5pm)
Otherwise by appointment.
Physical delivery address: Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi, 49 Kākāhoroa Drive, (trade entrance via New World Service Lane), Whakatāne 3120.
All works delivered and picked up outside of these dates and times must be pre-arranged with the gallery exhibition staff 07 306 0509 email [email protected]
ALL OTHER ENQUIRIES ARE TO BE MADE TO THE COORDINATOR [email protected]
Please note: Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi is NOT OPEN SUNDAYS
MMCA Exhibition location:Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi
Esplanade Mall, 49 Kākāhora Drive, Whakatāne 3120
Trade entrance is via New World Service Lane (Please note: Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi is not open to accept courier deliveries on weekends)
I understand there is a Youth Award. How young do I need to be to qualify as a 'youth'?
If you are age 25 years and under on November 14th 2026, you will qualify for the Youth Art Award.
All youth are judged on the same platform as the rest of the artists, and will be considered for all other awards.
There is no separate entry form - all artists are asked to indicate if they would like to be considered for the Youth Award on the entry form.
Tell me about the Mayor's Prize- (Local artist's award)
If you live in, or whakapapa to the Whakatāne region, you will qualify for the Mayor's Prize. You will be judged on the same platform as the rest of the artists, and will be considered for all other awards.
There is no separate entry form - artists are asked to indicate their locality and /or iwi on the entry form.
If I am asked to send my work in, how do I package it?
Keep in mind that your work will be unpacked by people who haven’t seen what is inside.
- Artwork packaging will be re-used where possible.
- For better protection and tape adhesion, bubbles on bubble wrap should face outwards.
- Avoid making large sheets of bubble wrap out of small sheets of bubble wrap UNLESS it is easily re-usable.
- Similarly, avoid making “Frankenstein” boxes that require extensive re-piecing.
- Avoid putting artwork faces in contact with packaging materials that are to be cut open.
- Ensure that package edges are well sealed.
- Make opening procedure clear – dash cut-lines, “open here” etc. are helpful.
When is the opening night?
Finalist's exhibition opening and announcement of winners is on Saturday November 14th 2026, 5:30 pm at Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi
Entry to Opening Night: As a selected finalist, you and a plus one receive complimentary tickets
Limited tickets will be available for purchase - drinks, nibbles and entertainment supplied.