Walters Prize

The Walters Prize is Aotearoa New Zealand’s most prestigious contemporary art award. It is held every three years at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Find out more about how artists are nominated, how winners are selected and past recipients.

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About the Walters Prize

The Walters Prize recognises the outstanding contributions made by a New Zealand artist within the past three years. Shortlisted artworks are displayed in a special exhibition at the Gallery and the winner receives $50,000.

Since its founding in 2002, the prize has supported artists’ careers, fostered critical debate, and contributed to the New Zealand’s contemporary art landscape. It is named in honour of leading modernist New Zealand painter Gordon Walters (1919–1995).

The next Walters Prize will be held in 2027. Find out more about the 2027 Walters Prize finalists.

The Walters Prize is made possible through the generous support of the following benefactors and donors:

Founding benefactors and principal donors

Erika and Robin Congreve
Dame Jenny Gibbs

Major donors

Dayle, Lady Mace
Christopher and Charlotte Swasbrook

Top image: Walters Prize 2024 winner, Ana Iti.

Four artists are nominated by a jury of New Zealand-based art professionals from outside Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.

The jury reviews artworks made and exhibited by New Zealand artists in the previous three years, whether nationally or internationally. They select artists who have made a significant impact or influence on contemporary art in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The four finalists are then invited to present an artwork in the Walters Prize exhibition, which is held at the Gallery. They may choose to present their nominated work or produce a new one.

The winner is chosen by an international judge, who is selected each year for the prize. Judges are leading international arts professionals, who view and assess the finalists’ exhibition at the Gallery.

The judge for each Walters Prize awards $50,000 to the winning artist in person.

Previous winners

Since 2002, the Walters Prize has recognised artists whose work has shaped contemporary art in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Previous Walters Prize winning artists are:

2024: Ana Iti, A resilient heart like the mānawa, 2024
2021: Mataaho and Maureen Lander, Atapō, 2020
2019: Ruth Buchanan, BAD VISUAL SYSTEMS, 2016/18, mixed media installation
2016: Shannon Te Ao, Two shoots that stretch far out, 2012–14 and Okea ururoatia (never say die), 2016
2014: Luke Willis Thompson, inthisholeonthisislandwhereiam, 2012
2012: Kate Newby, Crawl out your window, 2010
2010: Dan Arps, Explaining Things, 2008
2008: Peter Robinson, Ack, 2006
2006: Francis Upritchard, Doomed, Doomed, All Doomed, 2005
2004: et al., restricted access, 2003
2002: Yvonne Todd, Asthma & Eczema, 2001