Tāmaki Makaurau will welcome indigenous designers, creatives and fashion enthusiasts to these shores this month as part of New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria 2026.
At the heart of the programme are the Kāhui Collective Runway and the inaugural New Zealand Indigenous Fashion Symposium, which will showcase indigenous design excellence while helping designers, entrepreneurs and emerging creatives build new networks, skills and business opportunities.
Led by acclaimed Māori designer and Kāhui Collective founder Kiri Nathan, the programme will bring together indigenous fashion talent from Aotearoa, the Pacific, North America, Australia and beyond, creating unique opportunities for cultural exchange, learning and connection.
Fashion design by Ahuru. Photo credit: Holly Sarah Burgess.
With funding support from Auckland Council's Economic Development Office, the week-long programme offers something for industry professionals and the wider community alike, with runway shows, panel discussions, workshops, keynote speakers and a public retail activation celebrating indigenous stories, culture and innovation.
The NZ Indigenous Fashion Symposium will be held at The Cloud on 18 August 2026, followed by the Kāhui Collective Runway at Shed 10 on 20 August 2026.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says Auckland Council is proud to support this initiative, which showcases Auckland as a centre for indigenous innovation, creativity and international collaboration.
“We know how important it is for our indigenous cultures and diversity to be represented in our public places, our new City Rail Link stations, our events and also at Fashion Week. We are thrilled to support this beautiful portrayal of indigenous design on our own international fashion stage,” she says.
Fashion design by J Ake. Photo credit: Jacob Coutie.
Kiri Nathan says the programme creates opportunities for indigenous designers to share knowledge, build relationships and strengthen sustainable businesses while maintaining cultural integrity.
“This is about creating pathways for future generations, celebrating indigenous excellence and providing a platform for designers to tell their stories on the world stage,” she says.
Fashion design by Daina Hugh. Photo credit: Apela Bell.
Auckland Council's support reflects its commitment to fostering a thriving creative sector and strengthening connections across indigenous communities through arts, culture and economic development.
Tickets for the NZ Fashion Week Kahuria - Kāhui Collective Runway are available on Eventbrite. Tickets for the NZ Indigenous Fashion Symposium are available on Ticketspace.