About
NZDW
Mission
New Zealand Design Week exists to connect people through design - bringing Aotearoa to the world, and the world to Aotearoa.
An inclusive celebration of all design disciplines, created for industry, creatives, and the design-curious.
Held annually, NZDW is a week-long programme supporting innovation and commercial growth through exhibitions, talks, workshops, and immersive experiences that spark connection, creativity, and conversation.
A much-needed platform for sharing ideas and celebrating creativity, NZDW emerged as a safe, inclusive home for design in all its forms. It’s for architects and object-makers, digital designers and spatial thinkers, fashion creatives and furniture builders, storytellers and strategists - and anyone who simply loves what they create.
An inclusive celebration of all design disciplines, created for industry, creatives, and the design-curious.
Held annually, NZDW is a week-long programme supporting innovation and commercial growth through exhibitions, talks, workshops, and immersive experiences that spark connection, creativity, and conversation.
A much-needed platform for sharing ideas and celebrating creativity, NZDW emerged as a safe, inclusive home for design in all its forms. It’s for architects and object-makers, digital designers and spatial thinkers, fashion creatives and furniture builders, storytellers and strategists - and anyone who simply loves what they create.
History
Formerly Auckland Design Week, NZ Design Week was founded in 2023 by Jen Jones - construction leader, media voice, and longtime advocate for Aotearoa’s design community.
Created to give designers a platform to connect, collaborate, and be seen, NZDW has quickly evolved into a nationally recognised event.
Within only two years it has grown into a major showcase of creativity and innovation, attracting global speakers, industry partners, and thousands of attendees whilst remaining an inclusive, future-focused home for design in all its forms.
Created to give designers a platform to connect, collaborate, and be seen, NZDW has quickly evolved into a nationally recognised event.
Within only two years it has grown into a major showcase of creativity and innovation, attracting global speakers, industry partners, and thousands of attendees whilst remaining an inclusive, future-focused home for design in all its forms.
There’s incredible work happening here - but not always the infrastructure to support it. NZDW was created to give the design community something of its own. A week to show up, stand out, and be part of something bigger.
Jen Jones
NZDW Founder & Director
The NZDW
team
Jen Jones
Founder & Director
Sarah Otley
Head of Creative & Growth
Catalina Wilkinson
Head of Marketing
Yiselle Yost
Digital & Content Manager
Gabrielle de Jong
Event Manager
Suia Westbrook
Senior Event Producer
Carolina Sanchez
Event Producer
Nick Riley | Nonfiction
Head of Creative
Michael Crampin | Nonfiction
Creative Strategist
Carl Dixon
Design Director
Sponsors
Presenting Partner
Platinum Partner
Gold Partner
Silver Partner
Bronze Partner
Antipodes
Chia Sisters
COX
Creative Jam
Digitas
Metro
Mibo
Saatchi & Saatchi
unió
News
& Press
What
they say
The breadth of speakers, designers, and experiences present across multiple quality venues, make it a very enriching experience, just want more of everything!
Te Ari Prendergast
Warren & Mahoney
Thank you for curating such a thoughtful collection of diverse perspectives and for encouraging robust engagement around the design challenges facing creative professions in this unique moment in time—both in New Zealand and around the world.”
Rebecca McCarthy
AIA PLA
ADW brought our design community together brilliantly! As both speaker and attendee, I saw firsthand how this event connects diverse design disciplines in ways we've been missing.”
Rod Acevedo
RUSH Digital
The Design Conference opened my mind to what was happening outside of my own industry and left me thinking about things for days after. An invaluable day if you are a design professional living in Aotearoa.
Stephen
Creative Designer
