Here is a proud partner of the inaugural Festival of Design Aotearoa, staging an Open Home on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October, in association with Dulux. You should come!

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That aside, the festival is exciting stuff, celebrating how design shapes life in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond – from the streets we walk to the systems we rely on. Across both cities, in galleries, theatres, public spaces – and some unexpected locations – it’s a festival where big ideas meet everyday life.

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Designing Tomorrow Summit

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Designing Tomorrow brings together leading voices from Aotearoa and around the world to explore how design shapes our cities, communities, cultures, learning environments and everyday lives.

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He Puna Tohunga – The Well of Master Creatives: Exhibition

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A showcase celebrating master creatives and the skill, knowledge and making traditions shaping contemporary design in Aotearoa. Entry by koha.

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HAUSLYFE; how to make a Haus a Home – Hothaus Exhibition Opening Night

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Celebrate Hothaus’ exhibition opening, bringing contemporary craft, playful energy and Melbourne glassmaking to New Zealand Glassworks.

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Night Lights

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After-dark lighting transforms Pukenamu Queen’s Park into an illuminated public design experience connecting architecture, landscape and creative expression.

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Preparing for a Better Future: Learning by Design LEGO Talk

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Dr Bo Stjerne Thomsen explores how designing, testing and improving ideas can transform creativity and innovation.

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Re:Using the City – Reimagining Whanganui’s Built Heritage

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Join architects, heritage specialists, designers and citymakers for an afternoon and evening exploring how Whanganui’s existing buildings can shape the city’s future. Expect inspiring case studies, panel discussion and a keynote presentation from Bill McKay.

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LandLAB: Landscape as Operating System: Talk + Q&A

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LandLAB explores how ecological systems, cultural narratives and urban infrastructure can combine to create resilient and meaningful places.

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Festival of Design Aotearoa

Whanganui and Palmerston North
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16-25 October 2026

festivalofdesign.co.nz

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