World Press Photo

The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts (NZAFA) is proud to announce the arrival of the highly anticipated World Press Photo 2025 Exhibition, set to take place at Takina, Wellington’s leading purpose-built event venue, from September 5 to October 5, 2025.

This globally renowned exhibition showcases the year’s best visual journalism, featuring powerful, thought-provoking images from around the world. The event brings together photographers and storytellers whose work highlights pressing social, environmental, and political issues.

Wayne Newman, President of the NZAFA:

“World Press Photo has set the standard for excellence in photojournalism, and its 70th anniversary gives us a unique opportunity to reflect on the power of visual storytelling,” says NZAFA President Wayne Newman. “We’re thrilled to welcome visitors of all ages to Takina for this unparalleled cultural experience.”

Special Feature: 70 Year Retrospective

This year’s event coincides with the 70th Anniversary Retrospective (1955-2025) – a celebration of iconic images and stories from seven decades of the World Press Photo competition. The retrospective offers a historical journey through the evolving art of photojournalism and marks an era that also gave birth to rock ‘n’ roll.

John Dow, Event Director, World Press Photo Wellington:

“The 70th Anniversary Retrospective ‘World Press Photo 1955–2025’ is more than a look back—it’s a powerful tribute to the evolution of photojournalism and its role in shaping how we see and understand global events. This secondary exhibition allows us to reflect on iconic moments, landmark stories, and the enduring impact of images that make people stop, feel, think, and act. Bringing this retrospective to Wellington provides our community with a unique opportunity to engage with history, humanity, and the art of visual storytelling at its finest.”

Key Highlights:

• Discover award-winning photographs from the 2025 competition and landmark images from 1955 onward.

• Explore photojournalism’s impact alongside the rise of cultural movements like rock ‘n’ roll.

Also featuring :

• Photography by Woolf 90th Anniversary Exhibition
• The Photographic Society of New Zealand
• The Nature Photography Society of NZ
• The Woolf Te Papa Collection which includes special archival and historical content and work by leading NZ Photographers such as Brian Brake.

Simon Woolf, Curator, Wellington Exhibition Collections:

"As a curator, I’m excited to assemble this extraordinary range of New Zealand photography to complement the World Press Photo 2025 exhibition. These collections are a testament to the rich photographic heritage of our community, spanning decades and showcasing legends alongside contemporary talent. This series offers Wellington audiences a chance to see the depth and diversity of our visual storytellers, and how their work resonates alongside the world’s best.”

Event Details:

• Dates: Daily from 10 am – 5 pm --- Friday September 5 – Sunday October 5, 2025

• Venue: Takina, Exhibition space, Ground Floor Wellington

• Host: New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts (NZAFA)

• Tickets: $21 adults, $11 under 14 – includes Booking Fees

 Also Ticket sales at the door. 

For further information, interview requests, or press passes, please contact:

Wayne Newman – President, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts

president@nzafa.com -   027 565 3311

John Dow – Project Director:

john@agenda-marketing.co.nz +64 27 258 0717