Immerse yourself in the stunning fusion of art and environmental ecology at the 19th Estuary Art and Ecology Awards, running from 5 July to 31 August 2025 at UXBRIDGE Arts and Culture Centre in Howick.
The Estuary Art and Ecology Awards are the only contemporary art prize in Aotearoa New Zealand that focuses specifically on ecology.
This award encourages artists to explore environmental issues, highlighting the link between art and nature. It provides a creative platform while raising awareness about sustainability and preservation.
Proudly supported by the Howick Local Board, the Rice Family Partnership, Gordon Harris Art Supplies, and the Tāmaki Estuary Environmental Forum (TEEF).
Howick Local Board Chair Damian Light says, “Contemporary art has a unique way of sparking the public interest and these awards are a great example of using creativity to promote the ecological value of this vital awa (waterway) and encourage action against its pollution.”
Judging the Estuary Awards in 2025 is Hannah Buckley, Professor of Ecology and the Head of the School of Science at Auckland University of Technology.
UXBRIDGE Director Paul Brobbel is looking forward to strong interest from artists in 2025 as the awards approaches their 20th anniversary, commenting that “we receive close to 100 submissions each year and select around 20 finalists. What’s exciting is seeing the reach of the Awards, with submissions from artists down the road and as far away as Stewart Island.”
Rising to the challenge
Artists are invited to research and respond to the Tāmaki Estuary in their own unique ways, to highlight the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution.
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Finalists will be chosen by Brobbel and UXBRIDGE Visual Arts Coordinator Zoë May, with judge Hannah Buckley selecting the winners and merit awardees
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The People’s Choice Award will be announced at the end of the exhibition, with voting open for eight weeks
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Artists can submit entries from 4 April to 23 May 2025; entry forms and terms are available on the UXBRIDGE website
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Find entry forms and terms at https://uxbridge.org.nz/exhibitions/.
Key dates
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Entries open 4 April 2025
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Entries close 23 May 2025
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Finalists Announced 13 June 2025
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Exhibition of Finalists 5 July – 31 August 2025
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Opening function and awards ceremony Saturday 5 July 2025, 2:30PM
2024 Merit Awards: Ainsley O’Connell, Life Cycle. Image: UXBRIDGE.
The total prize pool of $9,800 will be awarded as follows:
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First Place: $5,000
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Second Place: $2,000
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Third Place: $1,000
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Merit Awards (2): $250 + $150 Gordon Harris Art Supplies Voucher
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People’s Choice Award: $1,000
Judge Professor Hannah Buckley is an expert in community ecology and biological diversity. Her research focuses on enhancing human-modified ecosystems like sand dunes, tussock grasslands, and agricultural landscapes.
2025 Judge Hannah Buckley.
The Malcolm Smith Gallery named after the late local architect and community leader, the Malcolm Smith Gallery is a contemporary art space in East Auckland.
UXBRIDGE Arts and Culture is East Auckland’s creative hub, welcoming around 100,000 visitors each year for classes, workshops, events, and exhibitions.
More details here.
Tāmaki Estuary. Image: Tāmaki Estuary Protection Society.
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