Wellington’s reputation as a national arts hub is being celebrated, with eight local artists selected as finalists for the prestigious 2026 Adam Portraiture Award. The announcement comes as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra confirms a top British sound engineer will lead its state-of-the-art recording studio, further cementing the capital's status as a magnet for creative talent.
The 43 finalists for the biennial portrait competition were selected from a field of 429 entries from across the country. The capital’s strong showing includes a mix of emerging and established painters: Benjamin Dellabarca, Nicholas Fields, Emma Hercus, Kylie King‑Hazel, Sacha Lees, Andrew Moon, Daniel Phillips and Clark Roworth.
For some, like Sacha Lees, it is a return to a familiar spotlight. Lees won the coveted award in 2020 and was a finalist again in 2024. Clark Roworth also reappears in the finalist pool, joining a group of talented artists recognised for their skill and vision.
The award, presented by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, is one of the country’s most significant art prizes. Its importance has been further underscored this year with the first prize increasing to $30,000, a substantial sum that supports artists in their practice. The winner is set to be announced on May 20, with prizes of $2500 for both the runner-up and a People’s Choice Award.
A new focus on connection
A key change in this year's competition has been a new requirement for portraits to be painted from life, rather than from photographs. The move has been praised for fostering a more authentic and powerful connection between artist and subject.
New Zealand Portrait Gallery director Brian Wood says this change has brought a noticeable shift in the quality and emotional depth of the entries, with a greater sense of immediacy visible in the works.
The move toward working from life has brought a deeper sense of connection with the sitter, more immediacy and presence to the portraits. There’s a real sense of momentum in this year’s finalists.
International judge Jude Rae noted the high calibre of entries made the selection process a challenge. The diverse finalists include works created on unconventional materials such as corrugated aluminium and woven tape measures, highlighting the innovation within New Zealand's contemporary art scene. The city's thriving arts community, which ranges from formal galleries to a vibrant street art culture, provides a fertile ground for such creativity.
Global expertise for a world-class venue
The city's cultural offering is set to expand significantly with the February 2027 opening of Te Ngākau Recording Studios, a world-class facility within the refurbished Wellington Town Hall. In a major coup for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, British sound engineer Matt Jones has been appointed to lead the complex.
Jones comes to Wellington after more than a decade at London's iconic Abbey Road Studios, where he worked as a Senior Recordist. His impressive portfolio includes work with renowned composers like Danny Elfman and Alexandre Desplat on major film soundtracks such as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Frankenstein. His work also spans popular video game scores, including Halo 5: Guardians, Star Wars: Battlefront, and Titanfall 2.
NZSO Chief Executive Marc Feldman said Jones' appointment is a crucial step in realising the orchestra's global recording ambitions. “His international standing and depth of experience will help realise the full global potential of this extraordinary new addition to New Zealand's film and music industry,” Feldman says. The appointment signals Wellington's capacity to provide a vibrant mix of reflection and revelry for international talent.
The unique Wellington lifestyle
This blend of artistic ambition and quality of life is a key part of Wellington’s allure. For many residents, the city's unique geography and environment are a constant source of inspiration. Winning the 'trifecta' of sun, views, and shelter is a common aspiration for homeowners in a city known for its powerful winds and dramatic hillsides.
One couple in a century-old villa overlooking Oriental Bay described their home as a “private little oasis” after 28 years of residence. “We have the hum of the city but not the noise of the city,” they say, enjoying the sea views and the last of the evening sun from a location they envied for years while living in the shadier suburb of Thorndon.
This connection to the environment, from the harbour's shippingLanees to the climbing wisteria on a pergola, defines the Wellington experience. It is this daily backdrop that fuels the creative energy seen in everything from its formal art institutions to its independent artists and lively hospitality scene. As politicians debate national infrastructure, Wellington continues to invest in the cultural assets that enrich the lives of its residents.
Jones himself expressed his excitement about the move. “Everything I hear or read about, and every photo or video I see of the work that's been done in the Town Hall so far gives me so much confidence that a truly world-class recording facility will exist there once it opens,” he says.
The public will have a chance to see the fruits of the nation's artistic talent when the Adam Portraiture Award exhibition opens at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery at Shed 11 on the waterfront. The exhibition will run from May 21 to August 9, before embarking on a national tour.
