2023
AGI
Aotearoa
New Zealand
17 —
22.09
AGI
Open
Congress
17 —
22.09
AGI
Aotearoa
New Zealand
17 —
22.09
AGI
Open
Congress
17 —
22.09
AGI
Aotearoa
New Zealand
17 —
22.09
AGI
Open
Congress
17 —
22.09
17 — 22
September
Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland
Aotearoa New Zealand. Land of the long white cloud. First country to see the light. World’s last discovered land mass. And one of the few countries in the world to have an adjective as part of its name. Aotearoa New Zealand. A place for new thinking, new conversations, new adventures.
Aotearoa has always been a place defined by the elements and sought by keen explorers. 750 years ago, the legendary Polynesian navigator Kupe was first to sight and set foot on the land of the long white cloud. In 1642, the first European, Abel Tasman, sighted what he called ‘Staten Landt’. In 1769, James Cook, chasing the Transit of Venus, mapped the archipelago’s coastline and set in motion the gears of colonialism.
In 2023, we are thrilled and excited to invite intrepid members of the Alliance Graphique Internationale to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for the AGI Congress and Open. In the indigenous language of Aotearoa, te reo Māori, Tāmaki Makaurau means ‘desired by many’, and we hope our full and varied programme, and the qualities of the destination, will entice members from across the great oceans.
Following the two-day AGI Open, our Congress flies the flag for cultural immersion. From the untameable beauty of the West Coast, where mighty surf crashes onto vast black-sand beaches, and through ancient forests clothed in green, we chart a line eastwards, through landscapes dominated by volcanic cones and harbours, across an exclusive private art ‘farm’, to the urban centre, where we will discover art and architecture that captures the indigenous spirit of place. All with mini-excursions on electric motorbikes designed in New Zealand. Our time together concludes with wine, fusion food and designed memories on beautiful Waiheke, the white-sand ‘island of trickling waters’.
For most members, Aotearoa New Zealand represents a significant journey. AGI Congress 2023 is a climate positive event. We've calculated our projected carbon footprint and will offset 125% of event emissions with restorative native forestry projects. We promise it will be a memorable one. To maximise the possibilities of your adventure, we advise you to begin planning soon.
From an island, every view is a new horizon.
Ka kite ākuanei.
See you soon.
The AGI NZ organising team,
Dean Poole, Kris Sowersby, Michaela Webb, James Goggin, Arch MacDonnell.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, manaakitanga is the showing of respect, generosity and hospitality to people – from family and communities to guests and visitors. ‘Mana’ is the spiritual essence found in a person, place or object, while 'aki' is to encourage or urge on. Together, as manaaki, they introduce the idea of reciprocity and the power of hospitality. When we invite people to our country, we give them hospitality and uplift their mana. In return, they respect our customs and culture, enhancing our mana in return. As you join us for the week, you’ll experience this concept in a full and varied programme of activities, experiences and occasions, all created to lift the spirit, along with moments to relax and simply enjoy good company.
Nau mai, haere mai – Welcome. We celebrate your arrival on the water of the Waitematā Harbour. On the edge of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest recreational marina. We laugh, we talk, we embrace, we raise our glasses to new friends and the beginning of our adventure.
We embark on the two-day AGI Open at the Aotea Centre, Auckland’s flagship venue, with an audience of up to 2,000 creative community in attendance. The large, multi-tiered auditorium spills out into expansive foyers and a large public square – the perfect environment for sharing design knowledge in a festival-like format that aims to inspire a new generation of designers.
Programme to be announced.
Our immersion in design culture and visual communication continues at Auckland’s Aotea Centre. We will share forms of individual creative expression and personal design philosophies, from image making and life-centred design, to design outside capitalism, world-making and design futures driven by artificial intelligence.
Programme to be announced.
Following day one of AGI Open we head to Objectspace, a public gallery dedicated to the framing of New Zealand craft, design and architecture practice within a range of cultural, economic and social frameworks. The AGI Special Project is an exhibition that will run with free public access until 22 September 2023.
Special project brief to be announced.
To celebrate the end of the AGI Open, we welcome you to a party at Alt Group studio. Music will be playing, custom cocktail drinks will be flowing, and the Asaba Table will be available for ping-pong stand-offs.
At the Annex, an event space in the heart of Wynyard Quarter, we immerse ourselves in the design culture of Aotearoa New Zealand with leading contemporary artists whose engagement with Te Ao Māori – the Māori world view, customs, protocols and identity – is evolving the design expression of place and revitalising indigenous language, mark making and customary practice.
Accompanied by Aotearoa’s leading Māori arts curator, we visit Auckland Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Māori and Pacific artifacts. Sited on the highest point of a large urban park, with panoramic harbour views, the building’s neoclassical facade belies an interior refurbishment that speaks to Pacific design. This personalised tour includes the Hotunui meeting house, carved in 1878, and Te Toki-a-Tāpiri, one of the last traditional waka (canoe), carved around 1836.
The ‘farm’ is a privately owned, sculpted landscape on the edge of the Kaipara Harbour, an hour from Auckland’s city centre. It was created by Alan Gibbs, a prominent New Zealand businessman, who has transformed the land with major, site-specific sculptures by Anish Kapoor, Sol LeWitt, Richard Serra, Maya Lin, Neil Dawson, Andy Goldsworthy, Daniel Buren and many more. To be granted access to Gibbs Farm is a rare privilege – even for those that live in Auckland, so we count ourselves fortunate to have exclusive access.
To officially mark the end of the AGI Open and Congress, we undertake a formal celebration at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki – the principal public gallery in Auckland, and winner of building of the year at the 2012 World Architecture Festival. Auckland Art Gallery’s extensive collection includes major holdings of historic, modern and contemporary New Zealand and international art, and outstanding works by leading Māori and Pacific artists.
We continue the official business of the Congress with the AGI General Assembly at the Annex, a venue at the heart of Wynyard Quarter, walking distance from the suggested hotel accommodation.
After the official closing of the AGI Open and Congress, Dean Poole and Krista Dudson invite members to their bach at Karekare beach – “our home away from home”. Nestled into the native rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges and a 40-minute car ride from central Auckland, it’s a location that will make you feel like you’ve arrived at the edge of the world. For active relaxers it’s a chance to surf, take a waterfall walk, or enjoy a 5-minute stroll to the remote, awe-inspiring black-sand beach. Or, simply take the time to sit, chat and eat, immersed in nature and surrounded by birdsong.
For members staying on in Auckland, we welcome you to a relaxed afternoon on stunning Waiheke Island, a haven of beautiful vineyards, olive groves and white sand beaches located in the Hauraki Gulf, just a 40-minute boat ride from downtown Auckland.
We invite you to Mawhiti, a stunning residence with captivating views of the Auckland skyline and harbour. The private architectural retreat with its sculptural Gateway Pavilion was designed by Stevens Lawson Architects, and is the perfect spot for fine wines and a classic New Zealand barbeque lunch.
Additional recreational activities to be announced.
Members tickets are now available.
All ticket prices include both the AGI Congress and AGI Open.
Early Bird AGI Member Ticket:
Available until May 31
$850 NZD
Partner/Guest Ticket:
$750 NZD
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a multi-cultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. The hotels we have recommended for the AGI Congress are all located within a 1km radius or 10-minute walk of the sparkling waters of the Waitematā Harbour, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and the Aotea Centre, one of our primary venues, so there is little need for public transport or taxis.
We have selected the waterside QT Auckland as the main AGI hotel. It is our primary hotel recommendation and will be the centre of our operations during the Open and Congress.
Located near to key Congress and Open venues, this boutique hotel offers a personalised guest experience, excellent dining and some quirky touches. Accessibly located in the Viaduct, the QT is surrounded by superb places to dine and admire yachts and boats as they come and go. The QT’s rooftop bar, with sweeping harbour views, is the perfect place to debrief on the day’s events.
4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue
Wynyard Quarter
Special AGI member offer is available for
Wednesday 13 September – Tuesday 26 September
Early booking is advised.
Conveniently located in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, the Travelodge Hotel is a mid-scale alternative in an upscale neighbourhood – and a cost effective alternative for those looking for somewhere stylish to lay their head. The hotel is located near the central city’s key destinations, including North Wharf dining precinct, Auckland Fish Market, and the shopping precincts at Britomart and Commercial Bay. Please note: No breakfast facilities onsite.
Bookings
Promo code: TH15539283
110 Pakenham St West
Wynyard Quarter
The Sudima is a new 4 star hotel located within easy walking distance of most Congress and Open venues. It is also close to the city’s major shopping, arts, dining and entertainment destinations. Hotel amenities include the restaurant East, a lobby bar and the tenth-floor Sunset Bar.
Promo code: AGI123
63–67 Nelson Street
Auckland CBD
Recognised as one of the best hotels in downtown Auckland, the Hotel Britomart has 99 guest rooms and five beautiful suites. The interiors designed by Cheshire Architects are finished with beautiful natural materials, and feature elegantly tiled bathrooms, built-in sofas and handmade ceramics. Outside, the historic Britomart warehouse precinct is home to some of the country’s best restaurants and bars.
Promo code: AKLAGI23
29 Galway Street
Britomart
Located on the water’s edge with expansive views of Wynyard Quarter’s Lighter Basin and the Waitematā Harbour, the Park Hyatt offers sophisticated and luxurious 5 Star accommodation. Amenities include four restaurants and bars, a day spa, 25m infinity pool, and fitness centre. Wander around Wynyard Quarter, eat in its many restaurants and bars, or simply enjoy watching the boats come and go from the privacy of your bedroom.
99 Halsey Street
Auckland CBD
The AGI NZ organising team, Dean Poole, Kris Sowersby, Michaela Webb, James Goggin, Arch MacDonnell.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
congress@a-g-i.org
For general information please contact:
info@a-g-i.org
AGI
Aotearoa
New Zealand
17 —
22.09
AGI
Open
Congress
17 —
22.09