Julia Durkin is the director of Auckland Festival of Photography, Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading programme for photography. From May 29 until June 15th, the festival provides a diverse and inclusive platform for the exchange of ideas, artistic expression, and engagement with photography and visual culture.
“As the Auckland Festival of Photography marks its 22nd edition, it stands not only as a cornerstone of New Zealand’s cultural calendar but also as a vital conduit for visual storytelling across the Asia Pacific region. Since its inception in 2004, the Festival has evolved into more than a celebration of photographic excellence—it has become a space for dialogue, reflection, and connection in an increasingly image-saturated world.
Photography holds a unique power: it transcends language, captures time, and connects disparate communities through shared visual narratives. In the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, this power is especially potent. The Festival champions diverse voices—local and international, indigenous and migrant—and provides a platform where Māori, Pacific, and global perspectives intersect and interact. Its commitment to inclusivity has helped shape a photographic culture that is responsive to both the particularities of place and the shared experiences of the wider Asia Pacific region.”
— Julia Durkin, MNZM
The Eye of Photography would like to sincerely thank the French Embassy in New Zealand and the Auckland Festival of Photography for making it possible to cover this 2025 edition. Our most sincere friendship.
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