Air New Zealand unveils new uniform: A bold celebration of Aotearoa, artistry, and creativity

Designed by the world-renowned Emilia Wickstead, with bespoke hand painted prints from tā moko artist Te Rangitu Netana, the uniform marks the beginning of a new era for Air New Zealand. It shines a light on what makes New Zealand unique to create a collection that is anything but uniform.

Worn by 6,000 Air New Zealanders around the world, the airline’s uniforms have always been a core part of its identity. They’re worn with immense pride and are always instantly recognisable. Emilia and Te Rangitu’s design carries on this strong tradition.

Key pieces in the collection, such as ’The Fine Print – Dress’, showcase Emilia’s mastery of her craft, featuring the intricate and meaningful kōwhai print. ’The Collective Thread – Shirt’ features striking purapura whetū patterns, designed to be worn by any cabin crew or ground staff member, highlighting the versatility of the collection.

The Ie Faitaga is to be trialled by Pasifika team members and supports the airline’s commitment to inclusivity. New designs for pilots include a bold pinstriped suit, with a kiwi feather print lining, symbolising leadership and prestige.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran says this uniform represents the best of Air New Zealand and Aotearoa.

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. We have a tradition of being bold, showcasing what makes us unique, and celebrating our team members. Our new uniform encapsulates everything we stand for – a combination of innovation, rich cultural heritage, and a deep sense of pride and belonging"

Designer Emilia Wickstead says the Air New Zealand uniform was a passion project and one that she has always dreamed of working on.

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. 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"

As part of this collaboration, Te Rangitu Netana’s meticulously hand-drawn prints bring powerful narratives to life, reflecting Aotearoa, Air New Zealand, and its people through storytelling woven into Emilia Wickstead’s design vision.

Each print is a story, deeply rooted in the traditions and values of Aotearoa" says Netana. "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"

A look at the collection

The Air New Zealand uniform collection features a bold and uplifting mix of vibrant colours, creative prints, and elevated tailoring. Key pieces include:

• The Fine Print – Dress: Featuring the tūī knot neckline and the kōwhai print, inspired by the story of Ngatoro-i-Rangi, symbolising protection, responsibility, and belonging.
• The Collective Thread – Shirt: A versatile, inclusive design with bold prints and a tūī knot neckline, designed to be worn by any crew or ground staff member.
• The Wrap Around – Trench: A sleek and stylish piece with a purple pinstripe, offering both craftsmanship and comfort.
• The Woven One – Ie Faitaga: A cultural garment to be trialled by Pacific people celebrating the rich heritage of the Pacific community
• The Runway Cut – Waistcoat: A new waistcoat for male crew members and ground staff cloaking the wearer in mana and authority.

Dressing for our future

Air New Zealand is excited to share this new uniform with the world, beginning with the uniform reveal ahead of onboard wearer trial, commencing in May 2025. Following a period of testing and feedback from uniform wearers across the airline, the new uniform will be rolled out across Air New Zealand’s network, with team members proudly wearing it from 2026.

Editor Notes

• Content: Photos and video of the uniform are available here. Uniform photos by Derek Henderson.
• Uniform Lookbook: Background on the print design and design can be found here.
• Fabrics: Air New Zealand is taking an important step forward by incorporating recycled polyester and organic cotton into our uniform. We are committed to exploring and transitioning to more sustainable materials as they become viable in the future to further reduce our environmental impact and support responsible supply chains.
  
  1. Men’s shirts – Trialling a transition from conventional cotton to organic cotton.
  2. Suiting – Crafted from a recycled polyester and wool blend.
  3. Women’s dresses/blouses – Made from recycled polyester to reduce environmental impact.
  4. Knitwear – High-quality Merino wool.
  5. Pilot shirts – A blend of recycled polyester and organic cotton.

About Emilia Wickstead

Established in 2008, the luxury womenswear label Emilia Wickstead has become known in the industry as the epitome of modern femininity.

Born in New Zealand to a part-New Zealand part-Italian mother and a part Samoan father, Emilia was raised in the suburbs of Pakaranga, Ellerslie and Parnell in Auckland. After her father, an artist, passed away when Emilia was four, her mother Angela Wickstead founded her own successful made-to measure fashion line. Emilia spent her formative years observing her mother build her business, assisting in fittings after school.

At the age of fourteen Emilia moved to Italy when her mother married an Italian, spending her teenage years studying in Milan. There, Emilia became mesmerized with the world of luxury fashion. At eighteen she moved to London to study Design and Marketing at world-renowned university Central Saint Martin’s, graduating with Honours in 2007.

After her studies Emilia worked at American Vogue and at fashion houses including Giorgio Armani and Narciso Rodriguez before returning to London to establish her eponymous label, opening her first store in Belgravia in 2009.

Known for her fluent use of colour and exacting craftsmanship, Emilia Wickstead’s designs effortlessly combine tradition and the romance of bygone eras with refined silhouettes and contemporary twists to create timeless, elegant clothing with a clear point of distinction.

Originally founding her business with a unique made-to-measure model, Emilia’s collections now comprise seasonal ready-to-wear, homeware and bridalwear, as well as bespoke and made-to-order services operated from her West London atelier. Her designs have been showcased at London Fashion Week since 2011.

Emilia Wickstead collections are held by some of the most prestigious retailers in the world, including Net-A-Porter, Harrods, MATCHESFASHION, MyTheresa, SAKS, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Printemps and Simon James. The brand’s flagship store opened on London’s Sloane Street in 2022.

About Te Rangitu Netana

Internationally acclaimed tā moko practitioner and artist Te Rangitu Netana has been developing the art of tā moko (Māori tattoo) for the past 35 years. After living in the far North of New Zealand near Waipapa where he practiced amongst his tribe, as well as teaching and raising awareness of the spiritual and educational benefits of tā moko, he moved to the UK in 2015 with his family. Being in Europe has allowed Te Rangitu to continue to advance his artistic discipline through his Tattoo Studio and his work promoting and advocating tā moko and Māori culture globally.

As one of few traditional tā moko practitioners in Europe, Te Rangitu’s work is highly sought after and he has worked with many high profile clients. His busy studio which he runs together with his wife, sees him designing unique tā moko pieces based on the individual character and life story of each client of which he has an average of over 100 per year. When Te Rangitu is not in the studio he travels extensively across the world to tattoo and attend Polynesian culture conventions and festivals carving a well-deserved name for himself as a living legend of the art of tā moko.

About Air New Zealand:

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 8.7 years. Air New Zealand’s global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2023, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2024 World’s Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline’s laser-focus on safety and won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand in 2023 – the 9th year in a row.  

Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand’s and the world’s most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.

About Star Alliance

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.

For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com