Mark Hutchins-Pond

Mark Hutchins-Pond joined Webb’s Wellington, as a Senior Art Specialist in September 2022 after a decade as the Lead Curator, contemporary art, at the Pātaka Art+Museum in Porirua. Mark’s extensive art sector expertise has been acquired over three decades of studying, writing, presenting, critiquing, and championing the best contemporary fine art in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Before leading Pātaka’s curatorial team, Mark established and successfully directed his own dealer gallery for nine years in upper Willis Street, Wellington, where he represented several senior artists who continue to achieve record prices in the secondary market to this day.  
He has written for and edited various art publications, both independently and as a part of his Lead Curator role within the museum sector, and is a popular and respected speaker on New Zealand art and artists. 

Mark has years of experience judging art competitions for Pātaka Art+Museum, Mahara Gallery, Hutt Art Society, and Wellington Sculpture Trust and, after the enjoyable time he had being part of the judging panel for last year’s IHC Art Awards, was pleased to be invited back to help judge the awards again this year.

Elizabeth Caldwell

Elizabeth Caldwell, ONZM, has been a leader in the arts sector for more than 30 years. She began her professional career in art curatorial roles but shifted into arts management when she moved to a role at Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa steering the visual arts programmes. While there she played a significant role in driving key initiatives, including leading New Zealand’s first two exhibitions at the Venice Biennale, establishing international residencies, and the foundation of the organisation Objectspace. The latter project established a signature venue for contemporary craft/object art practice in Aotearoa.

In recent years, Elizabeth has held a series of vital leadership roles, including Head of Art at Te Papa, Director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Director of City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi, and Director Art & Heritage Te Ringa Auaha at Experience Wellington. In these roles, Elizabeth has demonstrated visionary leadership in bringing the best of contemporary art and culture to an increasingly broad and diverse audience.

In 2024 Elizabeth moved to the Hawke’s Bay to be the inaugural Manager Arts, Culture, and Heritage at Napier City Council where she continues to be a powerful advocate for the essential role the arts play in building strong, inclusive and cohesive communities.

Tim Walker

Tim Walker is an Auckland-based Arts and Culture Consultant. After playing leadership roles in the museum sector for three decades – including as Senior Art Curator through the development of Te Papa, and Director of The New Dowse – he set up his own company.

As a Consultant, Tim works with arts, culture and heritage organisations, iwi and hapu, tourism businesses, and government and local government throughout New Zealand.

Tim has an MA in Art History and was awarded an Honorary Degree in Creative Technologies by the Council of the Wellington Institute of Technology.

Michel Tuffery

The Holdsworth Charitable Trust Scholarship Award Judge

Michel Tuffery MNZM is a New Zealand–based artist of Samoan, Rarotongan and Mā‘ohi Tahitian heritage. He is widely recognised for his multidisciplinary practice spanning sculpture, printmaking, painting and public art, with a focus on community engagement and cultural storytelling. His work is held in major public and private collections in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, and he has contributed extensively to collaborative and community-led projects.

Michel has also supported IHC through both judging and teaching within its art programmes. In 2008, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to art.