Let us know if you would like to enter your treasured vintage, classic or contemporary bonsai ceramics of any origin for display. Send us a photo of each.
‘Ceramics can either be displayed directly on the black table cloth, on a formal stand (as for bonsai – a jita, slab, mat or a stand), or on a suitably sized box draped in black cloth.
All entrants must supply their own display stands, boxes and drapery.
The NZ Bonsai Expo 2026 Potters’ Ceramics Competition
This competition, open to New Zealand residents, is divided in classes based on the size of the pots, how the pots are made, the form of the pots, the finished surface of the pots. All pots must be unplanted.
All pots must be fired to stone ware temperature i.e. Cone 6 or above.
The pots must be made by the person submitting the entry. Collaboration with another person who worked on aspects of design, construction and glazing is permitted.
More than one submission for consideration by the panel is permitted.
The panel will consider the submissions to determine which entries will be staged and judged for the competition.
Successful entrants will be responsible for getting their pots to the show and staging them as directed no later than 1600h on Friday 9 October 2026. While pots selected for the competition can
be placed directly on the show bench, we encourage the use of some form of stage be it mats or tables. These must be in proportion to the pot(s).
Entries will be available for collection once the show closes on Sunday 11 October. No pots are to be removed before the show closes. The Wellington Bonsai Club will not be responsible for any damage or losses.
Those intending to enter the competition will be required to submit an A4 sized page with up to 6 images as follows;
Five companion plant pots
One separate image of the front of each the five pots (each a different shape with different finishes) along with a single image, looking down into the five pots. For clarity; each entry submitted for selection will be a single A4 page having a total of six images (2 across x 3 lines)
Three pots each of different shape and finish are required for each entry. Pots are to be no greater than 225mm in size.
‘where this is the maximum distance measured as:
- the diameter for round / circular pots;
- the longest width of an oval pot; or.
- the longest side of a square, rectangular or trapezoidal shaped pot.’
One separate image of the front and one looking down on the pot are required for each of the three pots. For clarity; each entry submitted for selection will be a single A4 page having a total of six images (2 across x 3 lines) – two images of each pot.
Where the 225mm figure is the minimum distance measured as:
- the diameter for round / circular pots;
- the longest width of an oval pot; or.
- the longest side of a square, rectangular or trapezoidal shaped pot.’
Pots may be; hand-made – free form; using another substrate to support the clay; thrown on a wheel; or, slip cast. Each of these methods will be subdivided as follows:
o Natural
Including the raw clay surface, slips, terra sigillata, oxide washes or wood ash (generated during a wood firing) are permitted.
o Glazed
One separate image of the front, back and sides looking down on the pot and of the bottom are required for consideration by the judges. For clarity; each entry submitted for selection will be a single A4 page having a total of six images (2 across x 3 lines) – two images of each pot.
A panel of judges with complimentary skills and knowledge and has been brought together to assess and judge these pots. The judges are:
Anneke Borren MNZM, FAFA
Anneke was born in the Netherlands, immediately post WWII. She is Fellow of the Academy of Fine Arts who has been, and still is, actively working with clay for almost 70 years. Her work is held in collections in New Zealand and internationally.
James Carter
An Australian by birth James migrated to New Zealand to establish his eponymous studio in Te Horo, Kapiti Coast. He has wide experience in working with glazes is wood, gas and electric kilns.
Brian Catley
Brian, a collector of New Zealand ceramics, is passionate about all things Japanese. He has lived, thought and travelled extensively in Japan over the last fifteen years.
Dr Kumiko Jacolin
Kumiko is a potter and language specialist. She was raised in an artistic family in Japan, including her grandfather’s private bonsai collection in a traditional Japanese garden. Her doctoral research explored the integration of Japanese-style pottery into New Zealand’s ceramic art.
Bonsai Technical Advisory to the Panel
Steven Yin, NZBA Vice President, Proprietor Mini Gardens
Steward – Ceramics competition
Graham Bell
Closing date for entry is 1st of June
