NZIPP Iris Awards & New Zealand Amateur Photography Awards Update

Following feedback from members, I’m pleased to confirm that the entry closing date for the Iris Awards has been extended by one week. This extension is in response to requests from photographers who wanted a little more time to finalise their submissions and ensure they are presenting their strongest possible work.

The new closing date for the Iris Awards is now 28 June.

The closing date for the New Zealand Amateur Photography Awards remains unchanged and will close on 21 June.

These dates are now firmly in place, and I encourage everyone intending to enter to use this additional time wisely. Refine your selections. Review your print quality. Revisit your narrative. Small adjustments at this stage can make a significant difference to the final presentation of your work.

As always, I strongly encourage all entrants to take the time to read the rules carefully. Everything you need to know for both awards is available online at irisawards.com. The rules are there to ensure fairness, consistency, and the highest standard of judging across all categories, and understanding them properly is a key part of preparing a strong submission.

If you are unsure about any aspect of the entry process, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact the Honours Council directly at honours@nzipp.org.nz, and we will do our best to support you through the process.

Once entries close, we will also be able to release the judging schedule. This is a carefully considered process, balancing judges, category demands, and the time required to properly assess the volume and diversity of work entered. It is a detailed and sometimes complex undertaking, ensuring each category is given the attention it deserves and that the judging process remains fair, consistent, and well-paced.

These awards are not just about competition. They are about growth. They are about giving yourself permission to step outside of client work and test your creative boundaries. For many photographers, the Iris Awards become a turning point — a place where work is refined, ideas are challenged, and new standards are set for what is possible.

For those who are awarded, it also provides the ability to confidently market yourself as an award-winning photographer, which can be a meaningful step in building credibility and visibility within the industry. But even beyond the results, the value is in the process itself — the learning, the discipline, and the reflection that comes from putting your work forward for evaluation.

The New Zealand Amateur Photography Awards play an equally important role. They provide a supportive entry point for photographers who are earlier in their journey or who simply want to test their work in an awards environment without the same level of professional pressure. It is a space to learn how your images are received, understand judging standards, and begin to develop the skills needed for future progression.

Both awards exist for the same reason: to showcase excellence within New Zealand and Australian photography, and to encourage continuous development across all levels of experience.

One of the most valuable aspects of the Iris Awards experience is not only entering, but being present. If you can, I strongly encourage photographers to attend the judging in person. While the live stream provides valuable access, nothing compares to being in the room — hearing the judges speak, seeing the printed works up close, and experiencing the emotional weight of the process as it unfolds.

The Iris judging takes place 4–6 August at Majestic on Durham, 189 Durham Street South, Christchurch. A print exhibition of awarded entries will be displayed as category judging is completed, allowing attendees to view the work in its intended physical form.

The New Zealand Amateur Photography Awards live feedback round will also take place at the same venue on Wednesday 5 August, offering a unique opportunity to hear real-time judging discussion. Entry is free to come and watch the judging, and I encourage anyone interested in photography at any level to attend.

The experience of seeing prints in person, and hearing how judges respond to them, is often transformative. It provides clarity that cannot always be gained through viewing online alone, and it deepens understanding of how images are assessed at this level.

From 6pm on Thursday 6th August, we will also host the Print Auction. If you’ve seen an image in the exhibition that has caught your eye, this is your opportunity to purchase it. Thanks to the generosity of our photographers who donate their work, this has become a wonderful and enjoyable part of the programme, allowing people to take home pieces of award-level photography for their own spaces.

On the same evening, from 6pm Wrap Party on Thursday 6 August at Space 25, Wilmer Street, Christchurch, right next to Majestic. This is a celebration of the end of judging and the announcement of our finalists — a chance to come together, reflect, and acknowledge the work entered.

Finally, the Iris Awards Gala Evening will take place on Sunday 9 August at Majestic on Durham. This is a ticketed black-tie event themed Golden Hour, featuring a three-course meal and the official announcement of winners. It is a night to celebrate achievement, connection, and the strength of our photographic community. Don’t delay in getting your ticket secured, you can book at www.nzphotoshow.co.nz/buy-tickets I encourage you not to miss this opportunity.

Whether you are entering to benchmark your work, to push your creative boundaries, or to take the next step in your photographic journey, the Iris Awards offer something that can genuinely shape your growth.

We look forward to seeing your work — and hopefully seeing you in Christchurch.

Chris Helliwell
Chairperson, NZIPP Honours Council