The Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award is a competition that encourages young Maaori artists to create portraits of their tupuna (ancestors) in any medium. The Award is hosted and administered by Te Pūkenga Whakaata the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in honour of the late Maaori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.
In 2025, our judges are Renata Te Wiata, Areta Wilkinson, and John Walsh.
Learn more about the judges.
The exhibition of finalists will run at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pukenga Whakaata from 22 May to 17 August, and will subsequently tour to several venues across the motu.
The overall winner ($20,000 prize) and runner-up ($2,500 prize) will be announced on Wednesday, 21 May. The People’s Choice Award ($2,500 prize) is decided by votes from Gallery visitors, and will be announced on the final day of the exhibition, Sunday 17 August.
Erica Sinclair, Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII Portrait, 2018