The Auckland Festival of Photography is a city-wide contemporary art and cultural event which takes place within Auckland’s major galleries, project spaces, non-gallery venues and public sites during June each year. The programme includes a mix of emerging and established artists and comprises existing works and creation of new work.
The 2026 programme includes a mix of emerging and established artists, and comprises exhibitions, events, talks in venue, outdoor and online. Photographic artists are showing existing works and the creation of new work, bringing together NZ and international photographers, curators, students, amateurs and professionals for the aim of encouraging the public to celebrate the art of photography from 29 May to 14 June.
In-Venue
This key section will feature all exhibitions, events and activations that take place inside a gallery, community space or any indoor area. Traditionally these would include Core, Digital Screens, Satellite and Talking Culture – these now fit under In-Venue. During the festival dates In-Venue projects can take place anywhere across the Auckland Region, including but not limited to: Franklin, Papakura, Manukau, Waitakere, Auckland, North Shore, Rodney.
Projects submitted for this key section should take place at least one week during the Festival dates: as above, however projects can be included in the festival that take place from May for Music or Youth based work.
Online
This key section includes all online participation via: YouTube; Instagram; Facebook; artist/gallery websites; Mozilla Hubs exhibitions; Zoom talks or online panel discussions; or other digital delivery of public content that suits your particular work, project, artists or group. For more information about just presenting an online talk visit: Talking Culture
Submissions are open globally! This includes all Auckland based artists, as well as NZ wide and internationally based artists.
Projects submitted for this key section can take place from 15 May to end of the festival.
Outdoor
This key section will feature all outdoor activity. Participation can include work shown in windows, on billboards, fences, in private spaces or public ones where permitted.
Projects submitted for this key section can take place over festival dates, please see above – with lead in and post Festival timings possible.
Movement – NZ Herald Visual Journalists
Auckland Festival of Photography 2026 presents the 5th annual exhibition with NZ Herald photographers. In response to the theme this year for 2026, Movement [Kori], NZ Herald photographers were asked to share their work for the theme.
NZ Herald photographers and New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) photographers are always tasked with obtaining an image that reflects and illustrates the key visual of a story, to unlock interest and engage the viewer. NZME’s 2026 exhibition for AFP invites the viewer to view photography as it relates to Movement [Kori].
Auckland Festival of Photography 2026
May 29 – Jun 14, 2026
Auckland Festival of Photography
Auckland, New Zealand