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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.

Congratulations to all our 2025 award winners

What an inspiring start to the exhibition!
A huge thank you to our generous sponsors for making it possible!
Premier Award – Primo Clay – $3000 – Pirouette -Liz Sharek
Merit Award – Woodstoke – $1000 – No time on my hands – Fiona Tunnicliffe
Merit Award – Driving Creek Residency – Mother’s Embrace – Yasmin Davis
Merit Award – Bot Pots $500 voucher – Shards of the Past – Cat Thompson
Merit Award – The Clay Centre – $300 Cash – Navigating the Portal – Margaret Sumich
Merit Award- Kiwi Underglaze $350 voucher – 2nd Edition Intrinsic No. 2 – Blue Black
Merit Award – CCG $ 250 voucher – The Red Earth – Penny Ericson
Merit Award – Nelson Pottery Supplies – $200 voucher – Ti Touka Palisades – Mandy Gargiulo
Judges Special Mention – Daisy Biscuit.

  • Blue Black
    Blue Black – Merit Award
  • Cat Thompson
    Cat Thompson – Merit Award
  • Daisy Biscuit
    Daisy Biscuit – Special Mention
  • Fiona Tunnicliffe
    Fiona Tunnicliffe – Merit
  • Liz Sharek
    Liz Sharek – Premier Award
  • Mandy Gargiulo
    Mandy Gargiulo – Merit
  • Margaret Sumich
    Margaret Sumich – Merit Award
  • Penny Ericson
    Penny Ericson – Merit Award
  • Yasmin Davis
    Yasmin Davis – Merit Award


    • Exhibition open:  13 December – 23 March 2026

    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

    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

    About Andile

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