Rārangi Take o te Huinga

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7:30 AM
Doors Open
Networking
8:30 AM
Opening: Tikanga + Welcome
Experience
Our second ever ADW Design Conference will begin with a powerful and meaningful start - exactly as we intent to continue. Te Aroha Grace will open the event with tikanga, setting the tone with respect and connection to the land and community. Following this, our charismatic MC, will officially kick off the program, welcoming you to a day of thought-provoking talks, inspiring discussions, and creative exploration. Together, they’ll lay the foundation for a conference that celebrates innovation, creativity, and connection.
9.00 AM
Aotearoa's Design Identity: From Whanganui to the World
Talk
Architecture Branding & Graphic Business of Design Landscape & Biophilia Product & Industrial Spatial The Arts UX Design
In 2021, Whanganui was designated New Zealand's sole UNESCO City of Design, placing its unique creative identity on a global stage. This session explores what it means to be a City of Design, and how Whanganui's rich cultural heritage - from centuries of Māori design to contemporary practice - offers a blueprint for human-centered futures. We will challenge the traditional notion of design by examining how indigenous perspectives, sustainable practice, and a sense of collective purpose can be woven into our work, strengthening both local community and global connections.
Tyrone Ohia
Extended Whanau
Whitney Nicholls-Potts
Kaputi
10:00 AM
The Global Blueprint: Designing Place and Purpose for Iconic Brands
Talk
Branding & Graphic Product & Industrial The Arts UX Design
Join Vincent Lowe, former Global Art Director for Nike Running, for a strategic look at how design creates a universal yet authentic sense of “Place” for global brands. Drawing on experience with Apple, Google, and adidas, Vinny explores how creative strategy, digital experiences, and retail design build cohesive brand identity across continents and communities. This keynote demonstrates how designers move beyond aesthetics to ensure large-scale, commercial efforts are rooted in purpose and cultural resonance, effectively bridging the digital and physical worlds to foster genuine human connection.
Vincent Lowe
11:00 AM
Morning Break
Break Networking
Take a break with free Flight Coffee, and explore the exhibitor displays in the foyer. Food & other beverages at attendees cost.
11:30 AM
To be announced
12:30 PM
Lunch Break
Break Networking
Grab lunch on site at our pop-up cafe, and take a moment to reflect on the morning's insights with your peers.
1:30 PM
To be announced
2:30 PM
Afternoon Break
Break Networking
Pause and recharge for the final stretch of the day. Browse the exhibitors downstairs, connect with fellow attendees, and get ready for our closing session and evening cocktail party.
3:00 PM
Designing the Social City: Regeneration, Art, and the Human Experience
Talk
Architecture Landscape & Biophilia
This panel dives into the transformative power of design, urban planning, and public art in shaping our cities and driving social impact. Featuring leaders in placemaking, urban strategy, landscape architecture, and city design, we explore major regeneration projects - from Wynyard Quarter to post-disaster design lessons. The discussion focuses on the difference between mere development and true community building. It challenges us to measure design not by aesthetics, but by its ability to foster social connection and build a deeper sense of belonging in our urban centres.
4:00 PM
The Theatrics of Belonging: Transforming the Mundane into Meaningful Places for Our People
Talk
Architecture Business of Design Spatial
In an age of digital disconnection, our shared physical spaces hold new power. Drawing on Linehouse's philosophy, Briar Hickling explores how design can transform the mundane into meaningful moments of connection. Sharing projects like M Stand and the Cartel Brewery, she illustrates how to create compelling narratives within environments, turning daily rituals—from the morning coffee to the shared meal—into performative acts. By embracing whimsy and celebrating the unscripted, we design spaces deeply rooted in empathy, identity, and the art of human-centred storytelling.
Briar Hickling
Co-Founder, Linehouse
5:00 PM
Event Wrap
Experience Networking
5:30 PM
Lexus Evening Soiree
Lexus
Experience Networking Talk
Architecture Branding & Graphic Business of Design Fashion Landscape & Biophilia Product & Industrial Spatial The Arts UX Design
Join us for an exclusive evening soirée to unwind and celebrate with fellow attendees. Enjoy cocktails, conversation, and connections as we celebrate all things design with the support of Lexus, and with our special guest. This is your chance to mingle, reflect on the day’s discussions, and toast to the future of design in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. Access is included in your Design Conference ticket.
TE WHAKATAIRANGA HOAHOA

TE WĀHI
WHAKAATURANGA

Kuhu mai ki te iho o te auahatanga ki te Design Depot Exhibition Space, kei roto i te Design Depot ngangahu nei, e pātata mai ana hoki. Whakaemitia ai e tēnei whakatairanga rauhī ngā kaupapa tino hou, ngā puninga auaha, me ngā whakaaturanga whakapātari whakaaro nā ngā manukura o ngā parani me ngā kaihoahoa, nā ērā e puea mai nei anō hoki, waihoki, te kai me te inu o te rohe. Noho rumaki mai ki tēnei whakanui o te hoahoa e whakawhitia nei ngā pekanga mātauranga, e whakahihikotia ai te ranga wairua, e miramirahia ai te ngao whakahuri o te auahatanga.
Ētahi atu kōrero mō te wāhi hui
Including transport & parking options
Floorplan

This event is exclusive to
Design Conference ticket holders.

Buy Tickets
From $199 Early Bird
Design Conference