NZ AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS SCORING TABLE
The Judges of the NZ Amateur Photography Awards have a set of criteria that is used to decide which score to give an award. Read the scoring table below to see what it takes to reach each award level.
| SCORE | AWARD | DESCRIPTION |
| 95 – 100 | Gold with Excellence |
» Exceptional vision, creativity & innovation
» Exceptional visual communication & interpretation of subject
» Exceptional level of originality of thought/concept
» Invokes a superior emotional response
» Has an enduring quality
» Exceptional mastery in all areas of creative & technical execution
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| 90 – 94 | Gold |
» Outstanding level of imagination & creativity
» Outstanding visual communication, interpretation of subject &/ or emotion
» Outstanding level of originality of thought/concept
» Outstanding mastery across all areas of technique, craft, and production/creation
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| 85 – 89 | Silver with Merit |
» Excellent level of imagination & creativity
» Excellent visual communication, interpretation of subject &/or emotion
» Excellent level of technique, craft, and production
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| 80 – 84 | Silver |
» Very high level of imagination &/or creativity
» Very high level of visual communication, interpretation of subject &/or emotion
» Very high level of craft, skill and production
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| 70 – 79 | Highly Commended |
» Shows a high level of craft, skill & technique
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| 60-69 | Commended |
» Shows a good level of craft, skill & technique.
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ENTRIES OPEN 25th MAY - 21st JUNE 2026
JOIN US IN CHRISTCHURCH THIS AUGUST!
Come and watch the live judging of the 2026 Iris Awards in-person or the live feedback round of the New Zealand Amateur Photography Awards, and stick around for the New Zealand Photography Show - Work/Shop 2026 - a two-day event offering inspiration, education, networking, and so much more! Purchasing a ticket will also get you in the draw to win an EPIC prize! Check out all the details here: https://nzphotoshow.co.nz/
Get yourself onto a masterclass on Sunday to fully immerse yourself in a specialised area of interest, and finish off the week at the 2026 NZIPP Gala Awards Evening sponsored by CRK and Ilford, to celebrate the success from the Iris Awards and the New Zealand Amateur Awards. https://nzphotoshow.co.nz/product/gala-awards-evening/
IMPORTANT DATES FOR NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR AWARDS
ONLINE ENTRIES OPEN: 9am Monday 25th May 2026 (NZST)
ONLINE ENTRIES CLOSE: 11.59pm Sunday 21st June 2026 (NZST)
LIVE FEEDBACK ROUND: From 8am Wednesday 5th August 2026 (NZST)
LIVE FEEDBACK VENUE: Majestic on Durham, 189 Durham St South, Christchurch.
CATEGORY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: Approx. 5pm Wednesday 5th August 2026, VENUE: TBC
NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCEMENT: At the Gala Awards Evening, 5:15pm Sunday 9th August 2026. Venue: Majestic on Durham, 189 Durham St South, Christchurch; Theme: Golden Hour. A ticket only event. Click here to purchase tickets NOW
ENTRANTS SCORES RELEASED: Thursday 6th August 2026 from 9am