The Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award is a competition that encourages young Maaori artists to create portraits of their tupuna (ancestors) in any medium. The Award is hosted and administered by Te Pūkenga Whakaata the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in honour of the late Maaori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.
In 2025, our judges are Renata Te Wiata, Areta Wilkinson, and John Walsh.
Learn more about the judges.
Erica Sinclair, Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII Portrait, 2018
Winner
Jazmin Tainui Mihi Paget-Knebel
Te Whanau-A-Apanui, Whakatohea, Ngapuhi, Ngati Hine
Taniwha Chasers
(Tūpuna – Paget Whānau – Richard (Dicky) Paget, John (Joe) Paget, Heather Paget)
Photography
“Jazmin’s ‘Taniwha Chasers’ is an uplifting, joyful image that captures the heart of our time. It is full of hope and youthful energy, offering a fresh perspective on connecting with our tūpuna and te taiao. Viewers are carried along with the young rider into a future that feels increasingly uncertain.
The young rider, his galloping horse, the raised flag, and the brooding land all merge wonderfully to convey this powerful message. The horse—once a symbol of colonization—has been reclaimed as part of our whakapapa and ongoing struggle.
The message is bright and clear, the composition is strong, and the scale and presentation are striking. The work is in black and white, but you can sense the richness of the scene.
For the judges, it was a unanimous choice—each of us read the work in the same way.”
Runner Up
Maata-Maria Cartisciano
(Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Rangitāne o Manawatū, Tamahaki, Te Ati-hau-nui-a-pāpārangi)
E kore koe e ngaro i tōku Koro
(Tūpuna - Arnold Haeana Hemara)
Acrylic and pencil
“Maata-Maria does well to capture the essence of her Koro. This artwork beautifully conveys a message that we are all connected to; it portrays kindness and love.
The aroha felt throughout your portrait is reflected in his warm smile and expressive eyes. Maata-Maria’s joy in creating this piece is evident and excites us for what we hope will be a positive and successful future in the arts.
The clarity of the emotive connection is striking, hitting you immediately. The strong framing and composition are complemented by a forest of kowhaiwhai in the background. The piece showcases wonderful, playful experimentation with media, transcending the limitations of a photograph. It invites viewers to explore beyond the surface, revealing deeper connections and emotions into whaanau and into whakapapa.
If one so young can capture such profound emotion on canvas, their future holds limitless possibilities.”
Honourable Mentions
Shannon Te Rangihaeata Clamp
(Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Koata)
Te Rangihaeata and Te Rangitopeora
Varnish an acrylic on wood
Divine Herekiuha
(Ngāti Tara, Ngāti Raukawa)
Wairua
(Ko au tupuna Marea Ukaipo, Maungatautari, Ngahutoitoi and Omanaia)
Pencil and marker pen on paper
Zoe Marler
(Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri)
Atama, Rangatira/ Pensioner 1899
Tūpuna – Atama Takahipaetu Papārangi
Oil on linen
Caitlin Jolley
(Ngaati Pukeko, Ngaati Whaawhaakia)
Whaawhaakia Pt. 1
(Tūpuna – Whaawhaakia)
Acrylic on canvas
Jessica Hulme
(Te Roroa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi)
Nap Time
(Tūpuna - Richard “Lofty” Brooking)
Oil on canvas
The Forsyth Barr People’s Choice Award ($2,500 prize) is decided by votes from Gallery visitors and will be announced on the final day of the exhibition on 17 August.
Exhibition Catalogue
The official catalogue of the Finalists Exhibition is available for purchase at the Gallery or from our online shop