25 ARTISTS, 5 CATEGORIES, 5 ROSETTES

The BESTIES categories:
Best Pup · Best Puss · Best Pet · Best Worst Pest · Best in Show

Twenty-five invited painters. Twenty-five new works. One public vote.

Best in Show 2026 brings together a group of artists to celebrate the animals that share our lives, from beloved companions to the animals we consider pests, and our complicated relationship with the natural world.

Every category, including the overall Best in Show, is decided by public vote in the gallery throughout the exhibition.

The winners receive five handmade rosettes, made by me as artworks in their own right, at The Besties, the Best in Show 2026 awards ceremony.

BEST IN SHOW 2026 PUBLIC PROGRAMME
Full public programme dates and details will be announced here.

WAIHEKE ART GALLERY IN-GALLERY EVENTS

Friday 4 December 2026
6pm Best in Show 2026 Exhibition opening

Sunday 6 December
Loss, Love and Companion Animals.
A facilitated conversation on grief, remembrance and the animals who help us through.

Sunday 2pm, 10 January 2027
WISCA and Pets of Waiheke.
A community conversation about companion animal guardianship on the island.

Sunday 2pm, 17 January
Three Years on Hauturu / Little Barrier Island
Ranger Peter Mitchell and seabird translocation specialist Cathy Mitchell share their experiences of living on Hauturu, their work in ecosystem restoration, and the connections between this remarkable island sanctuary and neighbouring Waiheke.

Sunday 24 January
Animal Wisdom.
Join artist Leila Lees for an exploration of our spiritual kinship with animals, delving into the dream world, shamanic journeying and the essence of our connections with wild and domestic animals.

Sunday 31 January
The BESTIES. The awards, and the voter draw.

ARTWORKS COURTYARD PRECINCT
Companion animal friendly outdoor event in collaboration with Artworks Creative Sundays

Sunday 7 February
Best in Show 2026 exhibition closing day Artworks Precinct

3:30pm – 5:30pm
Artworks Creative Sundays late afternoon session, mask making, costumes, improv performance welcome.

WISCA and Pets of Waiheke volunteers to ensure health and safety, dogs on leash at all times.

5:30pm – 6:30pm
Best in Show Animal and Bird Call Impressions – open mic, MC tbc

7:30pm – 8:30pm
Best in Show Stories and Poems – My Best Ever Pet open mic

9:30pm – 10:00pm
Best in Show (2000) Christopher Guest film, outdoor animal-friendly screening

 FREE · ALL AGES · ANIMAL-FRIENDLY

Best in Show 2026 public programme is made possible with support from Waiheke Local Board.