Registration is open to emerging and established artists.
There is no limit to the number of sculptures that can be entered by a sculptor.
The registered sculptor is entitled to two free entry tickets to the festival.
Entry Fee:
Adults - $20 registration fee.
School students - Free
Sculpture Entries close: 25th March 2027.
SCULPTURE CATEGORIES
NZ Rural Sculpture Supreme Award
All adult sculptures are eligible for our major award.
The winning work must:
Have a clear and direct association with New Zealand rural life.
Embody the art form commonly referred to as farm art.
Be created substantially from recycled materials (natural or manufactured).
Prize: $5,000
NZ Creative Cocky Sculpture Award
Recognises a sculpture created by a practising or retired farmer, rural contractor, lifestyle block holder, horticulturalist, or anyone whose principal income — past or present — has been derived from land-based work.
Prize: $2,000
NZ Rural Sculpture Open Award
Open to both established and emerging sculptors.
Entries may be created in any medium using new materials or only minimal recycled content, provided they are suitable for outdoor exhibition.
Works are not required to follow traditional interpretations of farm art.
Prize: $2,000
NZ Rural Small Sculpture Award
Sculptures entered in this category must not exceed 1 metre in any dimension.
Judges will place particular emphasis on sculptures that demonstrate ingenuity in the use of recycled tools and materials in their construction.
Prize: $1,000
Local Yokel Sculptor Award
Entries must meet the same criteria as the NZ Rural Sculpture Supreme Award and be created by a sculptor who resides within the area bounded by, or along, the following roads, Cheltenham Cross Road (to the Rangitīkei River), the Rangitīkei River, Ruahine Road, Te Parapara Road, Main South Road, Table Flat Road, Oroua Valley Road from Table Flat Road to Pohangina Valley East Road, Pohangina Valley East Road to Makoura Road, Makoura Road, Ridge Road to Coulters Line, Coulters Line to Kiwitea, and Kimbolton Road between Kiwitea and Cheltenham, as shown on the map. See map
Prize: $1,000
Give it a go Sculpture Award
Open to sculptors creating and entering their first-ever sculpture.
Entries in this category are not eligible for any other awards.
Entry is free.
Prize: $300
People’s Choice Sculpture Award
This award is decided by public vote during the festival. All entries are eligible.
Prize: $1,000
Youth Awards
Each festival features a different theme for students entering the youth awards.
Sculptures may be created using any materials of the student’s choice and may be any size.
Open to all schools or home-schooled students within the Manawatū School District.
Youth not living within the Manawatū School District may enter the adult competitions.
Sculptures should be the children's work, with adult supervision permitted.
2027 theme. —-—-The futuristic farm————
Group Youth Awards
Pre-School & Primary School up to year 4 Group Sculpture Award: Prize: $100
Primary School years 5-8 Group Sculpture Award: Prize: $100
Individual Youth Awards
Primary School years 0-4: Prize: $50
Primary School years 5-8: Prize: $50
Merit Awards
Five $300 Merit Awards may be awarded by the judges across all adult and youth categories at their sole discretion. A non-cash award may be presented to a sculpture that reflects the positive role of sculpture-making in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
Runner-up Awards
Runner-up certificates may be awarded in any category at the discretion of the judges.
KEY DATES
Entry closing date
Registration forms must be submitted by 25th March 2027 using the online registration form.
Early registration will assist with national promotion and planning.
Photographs of artwork would be appreciated.
Delivery, installation and removal
Youth Entries
Youth entries must deliver their entries on the Thursday prior to the festival between 12pm and 5pm.
All Other Entries
Delivered between 12pm and 5pm Thursday or
Friday 7am and 12pm prior to the festival.
Removal
Sculptures must not be removed until after 4 pm on the day of the festival.
All sculptures must be collected by 5:00pm on the Sunday following the festival unless otherwise agreed to by the Trust.
SCULPTURE REGISTRATION
To read the Terms & Conditions and to register your sculptures click on the button below.
New Zealand Rural Sculpture Awards - Information Pack 2027