Shared cultural heritage brings unique focus to Italian Design Day

The event opened with a Pōwhiri to welcome Italian Ambassador, His Excellency Cristiano Maggipinto, embassy staff and guests on to Te Rau Karamu Marae. Kaihautu Toi Māori Director Māori Arts, Ngataiharuru Taepa, reflected on the historical ties between Māori communities and Italy and the Māori Battalion’s service in Italy during the Second World War. The Italian Embassy presented the Marae with a symbolic olive tree to mark the occasion.

Guest then moved to The Dominion Museum Building where H.E. Cristiano Maggipinto highlighted the international significance of Italian Design Day, which was established ten years ago to showcase the excellence of Made in Italy Design around the world.

The Italian Design Day programme, which was developed by Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa Massey University in collaboration with the Italian Embassy, featured a conversation between designers and researchers from Italy and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Whiri Whītau researchers Professor Faith Kane and Senior lecturer, Angela Kilford and Dr Rangi Te Kanawa captivated the audience with a presentation of their research into processing Harakeke fibres for use in interior textiles and other design fields. As part of this research they have worked directly with the highly respected Italian linen and cotton processor Linificio e Cotonificio Nazionale of Bergamo.

Designer Chris Jackson (NZ Future Design) offered provocations on the ethics around design, and an engaging overview of the evolution of Italian design.

“Italy keeps reinventing the future.”

Professor Silvia Micheli from the University of Queensland who has co curated a landmark exhibition on architect and visionary Enrico Taglietti (1926–2019) presented on the immense influence of Italian architecture across Oceania.

The event concluded with an exhibition of harakeke textile works by Te Whiri Whītau, alongside textiles from Linificio e Cotonificio Nazionale, Italy; textiles from sustainable material manufacturer, Rubisco and wool and possum yarns from Woolyarns, a New Zealand company specialising in premium fibres sold on the Italian luxury market.

Head of the School of Design Ngā Pae Māhutonga Associate Professor Sven Mehzoud says it was an honour and privilege to host the 2026 Italian Design Day and shine a light on the two countries’ shared connections in making and designing.

“We see this event as the start of an ongoing relationship between Toi Rauwhārangi, College of Creative Arts and Italy through their Embassy in Wellington.”