• Read more about the award on New Zealand Portrait Gallery's website.

The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata is excited to announce that the inaugural winner of the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award is Bodie Friend, who was awarded $20,000 for his winning mahi toi Nana Pat (2021). Friend’s entry depicts his great-uncle Pat Kingi, or as he's more affectionately known, Nana Pat.

Friend says, “Pat Kingi is kaumatua at our marae, Horahora Marae in Rangiriri. This portrait was taken the weekend before his 88th birthday at my auntie's whare after lunch (boil up) and discussing whakapapa. Even at his age, he still works hard at the marae like mowing lawns, painting fences and weeding gardens. He’s played a key role in me reconnecting with my Waikato identity.”

This winning mahi toi is at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery as part of the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award Finalists' Exhibition, 28 May - 15 August.

Te Haunui Tuna was awarded the runner-up prize of $2,500 for his moving image work Survival, 2021.

The judges also awarded Honourable Mentions to 13 other Finalists whose works can all be viewed at the Gallery.