New Dates. Same Venue. Big Expectations.
New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) has today publicly announced the dates for its 2026 return, with the event set to take place from 17–22 August 2026 in Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront.
2025 was a remarkable year for the national fashion event, which this August will celebrate 25 years since its inception. Executed by a new creative team in a new venue, NZFW 2025 set a high bar for all future events and successfully rebooted itself for a modern, digital-first audience that mixed industry with customers.
Topping 2025 will be hard, but not impossible. Last year’s event saw the return of Kiwi fashion icon Karen Walker alongside adidas, with other notable not-to-be-missed shows such as Claudia Li’s New Zealand runway debut, Rebe’s designer apartment pop-up and Harris Tapper’s uber cool, candle-lit wine bar salon show.
Luckily NZFW 2026 will have some of its 2025 partners alongside it again to boost visibility and X-factor, such as presenting partner Giltrap Group, Aussie online hotshots THE ICONIC and of course Tāmaki Makaurau’s ubiquitous event supporters Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.
This year, New Zealand Fashion Week has also been able to secure Events Boost funding from the Government, further bolstering the event and supporting a focus on increased visitation from both domestic and international guests, media, designers and industry.
“This is one of several exciting events the Government is supporting in 2026” says Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Louise Upston. “From world-class international and homegrown musical acts to sports fixtures and arts and cultural celebrations, these events will bring fans, visitors and a big boost to New Zealand’s economy.”
The Events Boost Fund is a one-off NZD$10 million contestable fund which aims to increase international visitation into New Zealand and drive economic activity in the short-term through supporting the growth and promotion of events. NZFW 2026 will receive a portion of this funding, shared with many other notable and sizable national events.
Designers who would like to be involved in NZFW 2026 are invited to give their Expression Of Interest on the New Zealand Fashion Week website, and can seek further information by contacting NZFW Designer Liaison, Rebecca Lawson, at [email protected].
Images: Rad Lab
