From contemporary Māori art and experimental installations to ceramics, textiles and public art, discover where artistic expression and design thinking meet at Festival of Design Aotearoa™.
Art and design have a way of opening up new perspectives. They invite us to look closer, ask questions and discover something unexpected.
Across Whanganui and Palmerston North, Festival of Design Aotearoa brings together exhibitions, installations and creative experiences that explore materials, culture, identity and place.
Whether you're a regular gallery visitor or simply curious about what's happening, there's plenty to discover throughout the Festival, 16–25 October 2026.
Explore Art & Exhibitions in Whanganui
He Puna Tohunga: The Well of Master Creatives
Whanganui War Memorial Centre | 16–25 October
Discover the knowledge, skills and creative practices of master makers. This exhibition celebrates artistic excellence, cultural expression and the relationship between traditional knowledge and contemporary creativity.
He Ao Āpōpō, He Ao Tea: Māori Futures
Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery | 16–25 October
Explore contemporary Māori perspectives on the future through art and creative expression. An opportunity to encounter ideas about identity, culture and possibility.
More Info HERE
Whanganui Mūmū: Whanganui by Design
Te Puni Tiaki – Whanganui Regional Museum | 16–25 October
Discover Whanganui through a design lens, exploring the creativity, stories and ideas that contribute to the region's distinctive identity.
More Info HERE
UCOL: The City & The City Exhibition
Edith Gallery, UCOL Whanganui | 16–25 October
Explore artistic interpretations of the urban environment and the relationship between people, places and the cities we inhabit.
More Info HERE
Kirsty Lillico: Heavy Falls
Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery | 16–25 October
Encounter contemporary artistic practice through an exhibition exploring materials, form and creative expression.
John Crawford: A Remembered Reflection Exhibition
Quartz Museum of NZ Studio Potters | During the Festival
Discover the possibilities of ceramics through the work of John Crawford, where making, material and artistic expression come together.
More Info HERE
Night Lights
Whanganui | 16–25 October
Art steps outside the gallery as after-dark projections and illuminated spaces transform familiar surroundings. Explore the city after sunset and experience Whanganui in a different light.
More Info HERE
Discover Art & Exhibitions in Palmerston North
Hina Nasir: The Way We Sit With the World
Te Marae o Hine – The Square | 16–25 October
Explore the relationship between people, place and the world around us through contemporary artistic expression.
More Info HERE
Hononga – Connection
Palmerston North Conference & Function Centre | 23–25 October
Discover an exhibition exploring connection, relationships and creative expression.
More Info HERE
LandLAB: Landscape as Operating System Exhibition
Palmerston North Conference & Function Centre | 23–25 October
LandLAB designs in the Anthropocene and Technosphere, where climate change, biodiversity loss, resource pressures and social inequity shape urban life. This exhibition presents Landscape as Operating System (LOS) - a framework that places land, water, ecology and culture at the start of the design process.
Josh Taylor: Eco Submarine Exhibition
Te Manawa Museum Palmerston North | 23–25 October
Eco Submarine is a game built for entertainment that naturally integrates STEM learning for 8 to 13 year olds. Players pilot a submarine, process salvaged materials using gameplay grounded in real-world science, and heal ocean habitats. Stop by our iPad stations to let your tamariki play and tell us what you think.
Beyond the Exhibition
There's more to discover beyond gallery walls. Throughout the Festival, creative practitioners share their processes and ideas through demonstrations, talks, workshops and experiences.
From live glassblowing at Hothaus to conversations about art, architecture and public spaces, the programme offers opportunities to see how creative ideas take shape.
Find Your Festival
Festival of Design Aotearoa™ runs from 16–25 October 2026, bringing together more than 50 events across Whanganui and Palmerston North.
Many exhibitions are free to visit, while some associated talks, tours and workshops may have limited capacity or require bookings. Check event details and Explore Festival Events
You can also explore our Māori Design, Architecture, Technology & Innovation, Kids & Families and Free Events stories for more ways to experience the Festival.