The Adam Portraiture Award is Aotearoa’s most prestigious and popular portraiture prize.
This biennial competition for painted portraits is held at The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata and generously sponsored by the Adam Foundation. The Adam Portraiture Award is a major touring exhibition which gives contemporary portrait artists the opportunity to have their work shown on the national stage. It plays an important role in recording the changing face of Aotearoa. The first award was held in 2000, and since 2006, the winning artwork has been acquired by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.
The Adam Portraiture Award 2026 exhibition will run from 21 May – 9 August. Entries are now closed and finalists will be notified by 15 April.
Past Winners
2024
Maryanne Shearman
Tuhi-Ao
2024, oil on canvas
2022
Jessica Gurnsey
Lady Day
2021, acrylic on canvas
2020
Sacha Lees
Sometimes an outline coloured in
2019, oil on board
2018
Logan Moffat
Elam
2017, oil on canvas
2016
André Brönnimann
Sisters
2015, oil on canvas
2014
Henry Christian-Slane
Tim
2013, oil on canvas
2012
Stephen Martyn Welch
3 Nights, a Mirror & Loads of Coffee
2011, oil on canvas
2010
Harriet Bright
Kayte
2009, oil on canvas
2008
Irene Ferguson
The Blue Girl
2007, oil on canvas
2006
Freeman White
Portrait of Hans
2005, oil on canvas
2004
Ryuzo Nishida
Self Portrait
2004, nails and paint on board
Collection of The Arts House Trust
2002
Marianne Muggeridge
Meren and Josie
2002, oil on canvas
Collection of Kate Clements
2000
Marianne Muggeridge
Lucy in her Green Dress
1999, oil on canvas