top of page
Stuff logo, sponsor of the Stuff Art Aotearoa Gold Awards

 

 THE STUFF ART AOTEAROA GOLD AWARD 2025

 

 

 

Kia ora koutou!

With the generous help of STUFF Media we introduced the Stuff Art Aotearoa Gold Award for Art Excellence last year in our 2024  Art Show Season. Bringing an award of this standing and magnitude into the orbit of our art show exhibitors is a recognition of the talented artists that we work with every year. It is an opportunity for all artists that apply, emergent and established,  to be selected, allowing unparalleled media exposure on the Stuff Media platform, artistic recognition, cash awards and benefits are awarded to the regional finalists and the national winner. We look forward to seeing the progress this year, as finalists are chosen by the judging panel at each of our four national art shows and the ultimate national winner is announced at an award event hosted by the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts later this year.

 

Colorful Realistic School Supplies 2025 A2 Calendar Poster (Document (A4)) (1).png
  • The 2025 Stuff Art Aotearoa Gold Award will be run in five progressive stages, one stage at each of the art shows presented by Art Shows Across Aotearoa during 2025, and one final stage to select the national winner.

  • ​One local award finalist and three highly commended artists will be selected at each show throughout 2025 by the independent judging panel (supported in part by public vote). Each of these finalists and highly commended artists will be selected prior to each show and announced at the VIP Preview of the show they are exhibiting at.​

  • The OVERALL NATIONAL AWARD WINNER will be selected by the judging panel (supported in part by public vote) from the four local finalists after the final Art Shows Across Aotearoa art show for 2025.

  • The STUFF $35,000+ ART AOTEAROA GOLD AWARD comprises of both cash and benefits allocated across the four Regional Finalists and the OVERALL NATIONAL AWARD WINNER as follows:

  • Each REGIONAL SHOW FINALIST:  $1,000 CASH plus Complimentary 1 x 5 Panel 2026 Exhibition Pack at that Location:  Exhibition Pack Value $1,580

  • OVERALL NATIONAL AWARD WINNER: $20,000 CASH, plus a complimentary 5 Panel 2026 Exhibition Pack at each of the other four 2026 Show Locations: Exhibition Pack Value $6,320.00

THE STUFF ART AOTEAROA GOLD AWARD Judges 2025

BOBK.jpg

                                                                 Celebrated author, artist and illustrator Bob Kerr joins Art Shows                                                                               Across Aotearoa and The STUFF Gold Award as national judge this year.

                                                                 Bob Kerr is a painter, writer and illustrator from Wellington. His paintings                                                                         are held in private and public collections including the Waikato Art                                                                                     museum, The Parliamentary collection and his next door neighbour.

                                                                 Bob was born in Wellington in 1951 and went to high school in Tokoroa. In                                                                       the high school library, there was a book called Private View. It was a big                                                                           coffee table book of photographs about the art world in Britain. There was                                                                       a photograph of the Scottish painter Alan Davie standing in the middle of                                                                         his big white studio with tins of paint over the floor and big canvases                                                                                 leaning against the walls. Was that a thing? wondered Bob Could you                                                                                 actually do that? He went to see the careers advisor. The careers advisor                                                                          didn’t have ‘artist with large white studio’ on his list of possibilities and suggested a job down the road at the Kinleith paper mill might be more realistic. Bob declined and with the help of a remarkable art teacher he scrapped into Elam Art School. There he spent his time in the painting department in big white rooms with tins of paint all over the floor. Now he works in big white studio in Cuba St in Wellington with a group of other illustrators, writers and gallerists.

His paintings often look at New Zealand’s history and landscape. He enjoys working with historians. He has worked with Mark Derby on exhibitions about the Waihi miners strike and the police invasion of Mangapohatu, with David Grant on an exhibition about World War One conscientious objectors and with Simon Nathan on a show about the geologist Harold Wellman. Recent shows have been influenced by Vincent O’Malley’s book The Great War for New Zealand.

Bob has also written many award winning children’s books and has twice been on the judging panel for the Childrens Book Awards.

His favourite painter is the Australian Fred Williams. When Fred was asked what does it take to be a painter? He replied, 300 paintings. In other words just do it.

‘That’s the great thing about the Stuff Art Aotearoa Awards,’ says Bob, ‘they provide a place to do it.’  

external-file_edited.jpg

      We welcome back National STUFF Media Judge Frances Morton.

Art Shows Across Aotearoa  welcome back for our 2025 art show

season, Frances Morton the Editor of Life Magazine at Stuff, of Sunday Magazine

in the Sunday Star-Times and Your Weekend in The Post, The Press and

Waikato Times.

 

This national Award generously sponsored by Stuff Media has an overall value of

$35,000+ and will be progressively adjudicated across four major Art Shows in

four different New Zealand cities throughout 2025

culminating in the overall Gold Award Presentation to a single winner in November.

Frances will be working with our newly announced National Judge Bob Kerr to select each of the regional finalists to go through to the top four.

 

Frances Morton is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years’ experience including time as head of re: News, TVNZ’s youth digital platform and roles with VICE New Zealand, Metro and NZME titles.  Now as Editor for publications that ‘celebrate, reflect and reveal the best things about life in Aotearoa’ Frances enjoys working with the ‘extraordinary team of writers, creatives and contributors to bring readers delight, discovery and new perspectives every weekend.’ Frances particular interest in the arts and the role they play in our culture and society has informed her approach and appreciation of the visual arts and of the adjudication process involved with the Art Aotearoa Gold Award.

                                                                                 

Colorful Realistic School Supplies 2025 A2 Calendar Poster (Document (A4)) (1).png


The auckland Art Show 2025

jessica gurnsey - REGional Award winner
The auckland Art Show 2025

Jessica Gurnsey is an acrylic on canvas painter based in Wellington, New Zealand. Specialising in portraiture, she loves to step back from a painting and recognise the specific way her subject's hair falls, the creases by their eyes, and the textures in the pavement they stand on.

 

“I love imperfections painted perfectly, because these are what make us human, and the details around us often inform the building of our sense of self.

Jessica Gurnsey1.png

Ticket to womanhood

Acrylic on canvas

900mmx1200mmx35mm

wendy hannah - Highly Commended
The auckland Art Show 2025

Wendy Hannah Ngati Awa / Te Arawa / European Raranga Taiao – Weaving with Nature

Whakairo- Carved from material made from Recycled Plastic and Plastic Bags A Nod to both the Symbolic Twist of the Pikorua and the act of Weaving Connection with Papatūānuku.

Raranga Taiao speaks to the sacred act of weaving connection Inspired by the form of the pikorua, the work reflects the interwoven paths of life and our enduring relationship with Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother. Carved from recycled plastic and plastic bags, materials once discarded are given new life — a deliberate gesture of kaitiakitanga, or guardianship. This transformation becomes a metaphor for healing: a weaving together of past damage and future care, led by the feminine force of restoration. Through Raranga Taiao, the artist honours both traditional knowledge and contemporary responsibility.

e4ea22_bcba30bce0b84f72aae9ccdc9c71e81d~mv2_edited.png

Raranga Taiao – Weaving with Nature

Mixed media sheets made from recycled plastic

and plastic bags

1200 x 530 x 40mm

cathy brickhill - Highly Commended
The auckland Art Show 2025

Cathy is a multi disciplinary artist who specialises in sculpted thread works. Her work is a delicate form of freehand stitch-work based off New Zealand's unique biodiversity. The unique works are created through numerous hours of sewing, crochet and hand work. Cathy creates her works by taking in the detailed reflections of our natural world and combining them with her unique ability to visualise and capture the intricate details, in particular, decomposition of leaves and fungi. Her artworks capture the degeneration cycle, and all its imperfections. Her end result is a hyper-realistic stitched representation, capturing the beauty of nature.

Cathy Brickhill1.jpeg1.jpeg

Whau Leaf

3d sculpted thread

99.5cm Height x 80cm Width x 5cm Depth.

jodie appleton - Highly Commended
The auckland Art Show 2025

Originally from Yorkshire, England, Jodie moved to New Zealand 14 years ago after travelling through Africa and Australia. She brought with her a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fine Art, where she specialised in drawing and mark-making — disciplines that continue to shape her creative practice today. Three years ago, Jodie began exploring pyrography: the art of burning images into wood. This technique offered a way to make her drawings more tactile and enduring. Working with pyrography has since become a central part of her practice, allowing her to combine fine detail with the natural textures of timber. Jodie’s work is deeply influenced by her passion for the environment, particularly the unique native bush of Aotearoa. Her intricate compositions celebrate New Zealand’s forests while exploring the complex relationship between people and the land. Each piece is carefully designed to highlight themes of guardianship, identity, and connection to nature. The wood she works with is more than a surface — it becomes part of the story. The grain, shape, and species of timber often inform the imagery she burns into it. Symbolism plays a key role in her work, from the choice of forest scenes to the placement of constructed forms and other visual elements. This considered approach results in layered, spiritual images that invite viewers to reflect on the wonder of the natural world and our place within it. Through her art, Jodie seeks to foster a deeper appreciation of the environment and a sense of responsibility for the land we inhabit.

Untitled design - 2025-06-04T133523.951.png

Knotted Bond

Pyrography drawing on timber slab

265mm x 930mm x 23mm

Colorful Realistic School Supplies 2025 A2 Calendar Poster (Document (A4)) (1).png


The christchurch Art Show 2025

shannon turuwhenua - REGional Award winner
The christchurch Art Show 2025

Shannon Turuwhenua (Tūhoe), based in North Waikato, crafts sculptures from native and exotic timbers, each piece a reflection of his profound connection to the land. His work delves into themes of heritage, identity, and sustainability, weaving stories of the past into the present. 'Maka te Kupenga' (cast the net) specifically honors the intergenerational transmission of knowledge, using the familiar New Zealand tradition of fishing as a powerful metaphor. It speaks to how skills and wisdom are passed down, strengthening the bonds between generations.

Shannon Turuwhenua 3.jpg

MAKA TE KUPENGA

Wood Sculpture
950mm x 600mm x 40mm

barbara franklet - Highly Commended
The christchurch Art Show 2025

Repetition is dull, stagnation is death. While I have my standard practice, I save a corner of my creativity for exploration and experimentation. As I’ve matured as an artist, I’ve gained an appreciation for abstract painting - admiring the works of Richard Diebenkorn and Robert Rauschenberg among others. Contrary to what some may think, I find it to be the most challenging of two-dimensional art styles. One must arrive at its conclusion without the crutches of realism, stylized or photo perfect. My abstract paintings begin loose and unplanned. There’s a freedom of mark-making and colour choice. Entire sections are obfuscated in the progress; a rich history emerges. As the painting progresses, decisions get made. The endgame of an abstract painting requires a lot of observation, often followed by nuanced adjustments. Sometimes a bold swath of paint reboots the whole process. Other times a single, subtle mark is the finishing touch. With a career spanning almost thirty years, I have dabbled in almost every medium and experimented with many styles. I began my career as a printmaker, and have moved on to oil pastels and painting. Whether I am creating joyous illustrations, icon driven abstracts or stylized landscapes, I am driven by a love of good design and composition.

Barbara Franklet 1.jpg

Rhapsody in Blue

Mixed Media

1000mm x 1000mm x 43mm

jane guise - Highly Commended
The christchurch Art Show 2025

Jane has been creating and selling artwork since 2006. Working mostly in acrylics or pastels, her work is mostly focused on the natural environment. The New Zealand landscape provides ample inspiration from beach to mountains, favorite spots of artists and many other kiwis (and non-kiwis) alike.

Jane Guise 1.jpg

Climb From Routeburn Falls

Pastel on Paper

630mm x 930mm x 30mm

cristian obregon - Highly Commended
The christchurch Art Show 2025

My name is Cristian Gabriel Obregon, I'm 43 years old and I've been studying art my whole life with multiple teachers. I studied breifly at the Fine Arts School in Mar del Plata, Argentina but decided to study privately. I've passed through many different art styles, surrealism, realism, cubism, abstract. I've also taught as an art teacher in Mar del Plata, given private lessons in thge disability sector, and am now working part-time at The White Room Creative Space.

Cristian Obregon 4.png

The Kiss

Acrylic

910x1200x35mm

Colorful Realistic School Supplies 2025 A2 Calendar Poster (Document (A4)) (1).png


The Wellington Art Show 2025

Lisa Call- REGional Award winner
The Wellington Art Show 2025

Our congratulations go to Lisa Call. Lisa was selected by Judges Bob Kerr and Frances Morton influenced by the popular vote from the Stuff voting platform. Lisa Call is an internationally recognised New Zealand artist whose award-winning contemporary textile paintings captivate viewers with their vibrant colours, bold geometric designs, and rich textural content. Eschewing traditional brushwork, Lisa creates her dynamic compositions by meticulously arranging hand-cut shapes and lines from her hand-dyed fabrics. Extensive stitching further enhances her work, adding depth and tactile intrigue. Exploring themes of pattern, structure, memory, and adventure, her practice spans abstract compositions, striking black and white pieces, and evocative landscapes. Lisa’s work pushes boundaries by merging traditional craft with modern design, inviting viewers into a vibrant world of colour, texture, and meaning.

Lisa Call - Kaleidoscope of the Sea Echoes of Kāpiti image 3_edited_edited.jpg

Kaleidoscope of the Sea: Echoes of Kāpiti
860 x860x30 mm

Amber Emm - Highly Commended
The Wellington Art Show 2025

Amber Emms’ work focuses on fine detailed realism. The floral works give us a sense of soft, fresh beauty, when in fact the palette is a strong harsh contrast of light and colour. A fulltime artist since 1998 whose work has met popular success, Amber began her career as a qualified signwriter, back in the days when they used a brush and paint. In 1990 she started painting with watercolours then moved to acrylics and oils, seeking the perfect medium to express her style. Amber challenges herself with each painting, from photographing the subjects to the finished work. Amber strives to create the, You can almost touch” factor.

Amber Emm - Tender Beauty image 2_edited.jpg

Tender Beauty
oil on canvas
900mm x 450mm 35 mm

Zoë Cromwell- Highly Commended
The Wellington Art Show 2025

After many years of making art in the spaces allowed by fulltime employment and raising a family, Zoë went to art school and gained a BFA as a mature student. Since graduating, Zoë has practised art in New Zealand, Africa and the Middle East. Now living in Wellington, and Zoë is exploring making paintings with human figures. Most of these works she  describes as imaginative 'scenarios', using the figures not only as compositions that explore colour and form, but also to hint at a moment in a bigger story.

Zoë Cromwell Verge (What we hold) image 1_edited.jpg

Verge (What We Hold)
acrylic on canvas
W840 x H600 mm

Shona Mackenzie - Highly Commended
The Wellington Art Show 2025

Shona, 2024 winner of The STUFF Gold Award is one of the  highly commended artist at the 2025 Wellington Art Show. Having studied in Glasgow, in the Borders at the Scottish College of Textiles and later Education at the University of Auckland, Shona Mackenzie has a background in art, design and pedagogy. After many years teaching she returned to art full time in 2021. Shona creates her expressive works, teaches and promotes the visual arts. Shona’s semi abstract work is heavily influenced by the beauty of our fragile world and her deep connection to the land. As a visual collector she subconsciously looks for and gathers those special and fleeting moments found in nature. Be it the movement of the breeze through a field or the dawn mist hugging a forest, the essence of what Shona observes is savoured and stored. Starting each new series with loose explorative marks, some of those memories and feelings of place eventually find their way onto her canvas. Shona then works to meld and balance the abstract with emotion and form. Identifiable by her expressive mark-making and rich layers of texture and translucent acrylic, Shona's work invites the viewer to connect with the powerful places from their own past. Themes around belonging and home appear throughout her practice - like many New Zealanders her family’s story means she has a foot planted firmly in two countries. Through this lens she explores long forgotten memories and generational echoes of emotion.

The Waters That Ground Me
mixed media
765mm x 765mm x 35mm

Shona Mackenzie - The Waters That Ground me image 3_edited.jpg
Stuff logo, sponsor of the Stuff Art Aotearoa Gold Awards
Stuff logo, sponsor of the Stuff Art Aotearoa Gold Awards

 Is New Zealand’s most-read news website, publishing more than 200 articles a day – covering everything from local politics to world news. 100% locally owned - marshalling 400 journalists with boots on the ground across Aotearoa plus an editorial promise to ensure that the very best of high-originality and high-integrity journalism is accessible to all - STUFF is of the people, for the people.  

From breaking news to long-form investigations and quality lifestyle reading, good journalism matters to STUFF. Fake news, misinformation, disinformation and content designed to mislead sneaks into the lives of New Zealanders every day through the global tech platforms; it is the job of professional journalists to counter this insidious tide. STUFF journalists take pride in the emphasis the company places on following the truth with courage.

 

An outstanding Kiwi business success story in itself.

Logo of Art Shows Across Aoteoroa, organisers of New Zealand's largest art shows.

© 2025 Art Shows Across Aotearoa, NZ

bottom of page