Frances by Amanda Shanley is one of seven local entries which made the final of the 2012 Portage Ceramic Awards.
Dunedin potters Madeline Child, Jim Cooper, Jo Howard, Elise O'Neill and Liz Rowe and Waitati potter Kate Fitzharris were also named finalists.
The $15,000 Premier Portage Ceramic Award is New Zealand's valuable pottery prize.
Thirty-eight finalists were chosen from 237 entries for this year's awards, judge Dr Paul Scott said last week.
"Each of the selected works combine a depth of artistic vision together with considerable technical skill.
"To be a finalist, the works need to be much more than just a proficiently executed design; they need to tell a story," Dr Scott said.
"Many of the finalist works have layers of meaning and need time, rather than a passing glance, to be properly understood.
"They would stand their own in any international setting."
The winners will be announced in Auckland next Friday.
