Monday 1 December – Auckland Design Week (ADW) today announced a significant evolution, revealing its new identity: NZ Design Week (NZDW). The rebrand reflects the event’s rapid growth, national ambitions, and long-term strategy to champion Aotearoa’s design industry on both a domestic and international stage. The new name will take effect from 1 January 2026, ahead of the festival’s third and largest edition running 2–10 March 2026.

Currently anchored in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, NZ Design Week will continue to centre around Shed 10 – the ‘Design Depot’ – which is nearing full capacity following strong demand from exhibitors and programme partners. Early engagement has exceeded expectations, particularly for the Launchpad collective: the event’s new platform spotlighting emerging designers and young businesses.

Alongside Shed 10, NZDW will again feature Public and Pro Design Days and a curated selection of partner-led events across the city, with only a few slots remaining.

The 2026 curatorial theme, People + Place, will guide programming across the week, inviting designers to explore how people, communities, and environments intersect in ways that shape Aotearoa’s future. The theme continues NZDW’s commitment to innovative, inclusive, and culturally grounded design practice nationwide.

The Design Conference returns in 2026 for the second time, with previously announced keynote speakers Briar Hickling and Vincent Lowe, reaffirming the festival’s international reach. Corporate tables have been selling at pace, with only limited A-Reserve positions still available following strong early demand. The Conference will again offer 50 CPD points, providing significant professional development value for attendees. One final international drawcard speaker is currently being finalised, a global voice the NZDW team are excited to reveal in due course as details are confirmed.

Founder Jen Jones says the shift to NZ Design Week represents both the festival’s momentum and its maturing role in Aotearoa’s creative economy.

“Since launching three years ago, the event has grown into a national platform – one that fosters connection, elevates design capability, and strengthens Aotearoa’s presence within the global design conversation,” she says. “The new name reflects that identity and the direction we’re heading.”

Jones recently travelled to the Barcelona and Dutch Design Weeks to deepen global relationships and share Aotearoa’s design story. She says the rebrand and expanded programme place New Zealand firmly on the path to greater international recognition.

“Aotearoa has a distinctive design voice – thoughtful, inventive, culturally rich, and deeply connected to place. NZ Design Week is about championing that voice at scale. With an expanded programme, near-full capacity at Shed 10, and the strongest interest we’ve ever seen, 2026 is shaping up to be our most exciting year yet.”