World Press Photo And DOC Edge Comes To Auckland In Landmark Exhibition Merger

Auckland will host the *World Press Photo & Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition 2026*, a landmark fusion of photojournalism and immersive storytelling, running from 24 June to 12 July 2026 at the Smith & Caughey Building in the city’s CBD. The exhibition combines the globally recognized *World Press Photo Exhibition*, showcasing 42 award-winning images selected from over 57,000 submissions across 141 countries, with the *Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition*, which uses virtual reality and interactive installations to deepen audience engagement with real-world narratives. The event is a collaboration between Doc Edge Festival, New Zealand’s national documentary organization, and the Rotary Club of Auckland. It will be the largest exhibition of its kind in the Asia-Pacific, blending powerful visual journalism with immersive media to create a unique cultural experience. Tickets will go on sale on 15 May 2026 via docedge.nz, with the full Doc Edge Festival program—spanning Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and a virtual cinema—set to be announced the same day. The festival, now in its 21st year, is an Oscar-qualifying international event celebrating documentary storytelling in film, photography, and interactive formats. The *World Press Photo Foundation*, an independent nonprofit, supports visual journalism worldwide through its annual contest and global exhibitions. Doc Edge Festival, founded in 2004, has championed documentary storytelling across New Zealand and beyond, reaching diverse audiences through exhibitions, screenings, and educational initiatives.