Since 2001, the Waiclay National Ceramic Award has partnered with Waikato Museum, Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, to celebrate Aotearoa’s finest ceramic art. Held biennially, each exhibition highlights innovation, craftsmanship, and the dynamic expression of New Zealand clay artists. A guest judge from the international ceramics community ensures each event brings fresh perspectives. Waiclay fosters artistic growth, inspires visitors, and champions New Zealand’s evolving ceramic narrative.
Dates for Waiclay National Ceramic Award 2025

Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s Waiclay National Ceramic Award. We received a record 172 entries and the selector, Andile Dyalvane, has chosen the following artists:
Pamella Annsouth
Josephine Backhouse
Daisy Biscuit Brown
Blue Black
Cammie Blaisdell
Lara Blake
Ronald Boersen
Michelle Bow
Annette Bull
Tina Carey
Tiffany Clark
Peter Collis
Julie Cromwell
Yasmin Davis
Bridgit Day
Mariska De Jager
Sam Dickenson
Suzy Dunser
Penny Ericson
Amanda Ewing
Dominique Ford
Shane Gallagher
Kirsty Gardiner
Mandy Gargiulo
Paul Herbert
Isla Ferrer
Jane Johnson-Matua
Chuck Joseph
Jill Kennett
Kevin Kilsby
Peter Lange
DeAnne Lawford-Smith
Margaret MacDonald
Vanessa McKay
Robyn Meisel
Mel Mepham
Françoise Padellec
Elena Renker
Rick Rudd
Mollie Schollum
Trish Seddon
Liz Sharek
Duncan Shearer
Janet Smith
Z Snook
Suzanne Sturrock
Margaret Sumich
Cat Thompson
Fiona Tunnicliffe
Ruth Vickers
Linda Jane Wigley
Emma Zhang
Lyuba Zhilkina
Andile Workshop
We’re thrilled to announce that Andile Dyalvane, world-renowned South African ceramic artist and guest selector/judge for the 2025 Waiclay National Ceramic Award, will lead an exclusive 2 day handbuilding Vessel Making Workshop in conjunction with Waiclay 2025. Head over to our Andile Workshop page for more information. WORKSHOP FULL but we still have places available for the dinner and performance.
Waiclay proudly presents our 2025 Selector/Judge
Andile Dyalvane

We are thrilled to announce that one of South Africa’s foremost ceramic artists Andile Dyalvane will serve as selector/ judge for the 2025 Waiclay National Ceramic Award. Renowned for his spiritually infused, large-scale works honouring Xhosa traditions, Dyalvane brings profound cultural insight and international acclaim to this year’s exhibition.
Stay tuned as we share more about his inspiring practice.
Images by Mzwanele Tshishonga
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