The Arts in Corrections Awards celebrate the many individuals and groups who use arts and creativity to support rehabilitation in prisons throughout Aotearoa. 

Developed by Arts Access Aotearoa, the Arts in Corrections Awards align with the Hōkai Rangi Strategy and the values of the national Arts in Corrections Network.

These awards now operate across three levels: local, regional and national.

Local recognition: Te Wero Award

Each prison site can run its own arts competitions using Te Wero Award, represented by a carved patu trophy. These competitions are entirely site-led and designed to uplift creativity, pride and cultural identity among the men and women in prison. Arts Access Aotearoa supports sites with patu trophies, certificates and guidance on request.

Regional awards

Presented at each of the four annual regional hui (Northern, Central, Lower North, and Southern), these awards celebrate outstanding contributions of those at the frontline of the sector. There are three categories:

• Arts in Corrections Educator of the Year
• Corrections Staff of the Year
• Ally of the Year

These awards recognise people making a tangible difference through their dedication, advocacy and support of the Arts in Corrections environments.

National awards

Two prestigious awards are open for national nominations. They are:

• Māui Tikitiki a Taranga Award, honouring leadership, innovation and cultural inclusion in the arts
• Whai Tikanga Award, recognising tikanga-based arts practice that fosters identity, healing and pro-social development

Nominations for the 2025 national awards are now open via SurveyMonkey and close at 5pm Saturday 1 November 2025.

All nominations should reflect not just the quality of the work but how it upholds the values of the Arts in Corrections Network: manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, tikanga, tika me te pono, and kotahitanga.

Neil Wallace, Arts in Corrections Advisor for Arts Access Aotearoa, says: “Together, these awards form a powerful and inclusive recognition system – one that values creative leadership at every level of the sector.”

Awards ceremony at Northern Region Network hui

This year’s Arts in Corrections Northern Region Network hui was held in April at Kohuora Auckland South Corrections Facility. To close the day, an Arts in Corrections Awards ceremony was held to recognise outstanding contributions across the Northern Region. These awards honour those who have demonstrated commitment, leadership, and innovation in delivering and supporting the arts in prison settings.

The 2025 recipients are:

• Arts in Corrections Educator of the Year – Chris O’Connor, Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre
• Corrections Staff of the Year – Stephen Jones, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Auckland Region Women’s Correctinos Facility
• Ally of the Year – Vikki Demant, Auckland Prison

Highly Commended:

• Ally of the Year – Ali Mudrovcic
• Arts in Corrections Educator – Gweneth Taylor, Auckland Prison
• Arts in Corrections Educator – Ilenia Di Nicola 
• Corrections Staff – Latasha Datt
• Corrections Staff – Rachel Tomasello