Air New Zealand has unveiled a new uniform created by New Zealand designer Emilia Wickstead. The collection is intended to express the airline’s pride in Aotearoa—New Zealand in te reo Māori—through bold prints, carefully chosen colors and detailed patterns that reflect the nation’s culture and identity.
“For us, this is more than just a uniform; it is a celebration of our people, our culture, and our values. Air New Zealand has never been about standing still or blending in,” said Greg Foran, chief executive of Air New Zealand. “As an airline, we are all about being bold, celebrating what makes us unique, and celebrating our team members. This new uniform encapsulates everything we stand for – a combination of innovation, rich cultural heritage, and a sense of pride and belonging.”
© Air New Zealand
Wickstead collaborated with tā moko artist Te Rangitu Netana to incorporate bespoke hand-painted motifs. One signature piece, The Fine Print – Dress, features a kowhai-inspired print drawn from the story of Ngatoro-i-Rangi, expressing themes of protection, responsibility and belonging. The Collective Thread – Shirt carries the purapura whetū pattern, inspired by the stars Māori ancestors used for navigation. The collection has been designed with versatility in mind so pieces can be worn by both cabin crew and ground staff.
“Designing the Air New Zealand uniform has been an incredibly personal project for me. At the heart of it was a deep respect for the heritage and the unique identity of New Zealand’s people and land,” Wickstead said. “It was essential to me that this uniform tells a meaningful story about Aotearoa. I wanted to create a uniform that empowers individuals and inspires pride in all who wear it and see it. For me, good design should always evoke a sense of pride and occasion, and I believe this uniform will do just that.”
© Air New Zealand
The range also includes practical and culturally significant garments, such as:
- The Wrap Around – Trench: a tailored trench coat in a suiting violet pinstripe
- The Woven One – Ie Faitaga: a cultural garment to be trialed by Pacific staff that celebrates Pacific heritage
- The Runway Cut – Waistcoat: a new waistcoat option for male crew members and ground staff
Te Rangitu Netana commented on the collaboration, saying, “Each print is a story, deeply rooted in the traditions and values of Aotearoa. The patterns on this uniform are a reflection of the land, the sea, and the connections that bind us all as Kiwi. As a Māori artist on the world stage, I feel a deep responsibility in ensuring our culture is represented in a way that is authentic and meaningful. I’m proud that these designs have found a place in Air New Zealand’s uniform, bringing te ao Māori to designs that show up all over the world.”
The new uniforms aim to combine contemporary design with cultural storytelling, supporting a sense of identity and belonging among staff while showcasing New Zealand’s visual language to an international audience.