“Just like L&P, I’m famous in Aotearoa only. For a day.”

Tāmaki Makaurau carver Ngaroma Riley showed off both humility and humour after landing New Zealand’s longest running arts prize.

She claimed the $10,000 major winner at the Molly Morpeth Canaday Awards (MMCA) as Arts Whakatāne and Te Kõputu a te Whanga a Toi opened the prestigious event at the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre on Saturday evening (1 February). 

Now into its 39th year, the awards seek to highlight and celebrate excellence in contemporary art practice throughout Aotearoa. From 528 entries, preliminary judges Fiona Jack (Elam Head of School), Elliot Collins (Artist, educator and winner of MMCA 2024) and James Gatt (Te Uru curator) selected the 50 finalists, whose work will be on exhibit until 22 March.  

Riley’s winning work Fisher/Kai hī ika was made from tōtara, acrylic paint, bone, muka and tung oil, She described it as “a work that reflects on and celebrates pre-colonial Māori life. It recognises skills that have been threatened but still can be remembered and reclaimed. It alludes to food sovereignty and the right to consume healthy, traditional kai from te taiao.” 

The Molly Morpeth Canaday Award winners were selected by guest judge, Tauranga Art Gallery Director Sonya Korohina. Reflecting on the winning artwork, Korohina states, “From a distance this work appears to be sculpted from clay. Marks made by the makers hand can be seen. Rather, it is a single piece of tōtara expertly shaped.” 

The co-founder of Shared Lines Collaborative - an arts collective using art to develop resilience -  Riley (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Pākehā) was previously shortlisted for the 2023 Kingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award. Her carving journey began by making buddhist statues while living and working in Japan, returning to Aotearoa in 2020.

Riley took to social media to thank the organisers and judges, noting “Most artists live off the smell of an oily rag so the monetary prize is a real gift.”

She also paid tribute to those who have helped her to reach this accolade. 

“It is a privilege to show alongside an incredible lineup of artists including my sista and studio neighbour Faamele Etuale. We’ve both been fed and watered at Te Tuhi under the Papatunga programme and I can’t speak enough about the manaakitanga of the incredible team (Edith Amituanai, James Kururangi-Tapsell et al.) under the guidance of director and Kahungunu Hiraani Himona.

“Fisher/ Kai hī ika was part of a show at Season Aotearoa last year and I’m grateful to Jade (Townsend) and Francis (McWhannell) for all their encouragement and support.

“Thank you to my fellow wahine carvers who continue to provide friendship and inspiration.”

Riley was one of 11 award winners announced for MMCA 2025 - with Julia Holden and Sarah McGaughran’s entry Intertrigo recognised as the runner-up. 

Aucklander Anoushka Coulter was honoured with the Youth Award for Noxie, while Dunedin’s Beau Cotton’s The Necklace was Highly commended. 

 Whakatāne local Estelle Withy was a popular winner with the Mayor’s Award for Humanity hanging on by a thread while Mickey Smith (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE), Matt Arbuckle (Coloured Time), Fa'amele Etuale (His last birthday 30/10/2013), Kāryn Taylor (Dual State), Luca Nicholas (Dries Van Noten Fall 2015 Menswear)  and Andrew Rankin (Rewarewa on Rewarewa, composition #3) all received Merit Awards.  

The 12th and final prize - the People’s Choice - will be decided by public vote and announced at the end of the exhibition. All finalists artworks are for sale, so each creative has the opportunity to be rewarded financially.