Designed to be worn by over 6,000 staff across the airline’s global network, the new collection blends Wickstead’s trademark tailoring and sophisticated design with Aotearoa’s rich cultural heritage.
Creating the uniform was a deeply personal project for Wickstead, who said it was important her designs tell 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,” Wickstead said. “For me, good design should always evoke a sense of pride and occasion, and I believe this uniform will do just that.”
The collection is a testament to Emilia Wickstead’s refined craftsmanship – showcased in The Fine Print dress, a hero piece featuring an intricate tūī knot neckline, inspired by the tuft of the beloved native bird. But beyond its elegance, the uniform also signals a meaningful step towards inclusivity. The uniform features a modern take on the traditional Ie Faitaga, that will be trialled by Pasifika team members, while The Collective Thread shirt offers a versatile, gender-inclusive option designed to be worn by all crew and ground staff.
“This uniform is about more than designing a collection – I do that four times a year,” Wickstead told FQ. “This was about creating something that speaks to the very essence of this beautiful country and the people that call it home.”
Wickstead noted that the uniform would be incomplete without Te Rangitu Netana’s meticulously hand-drawn prints, which imbue each garment with powerful narratives—reflecting the spirit of Aotearoa and its people through his deeply rooted storytelling.
“The patterns on this uniform are a reflection of the land, the sea, and the connections that bind us all as Kiwi,” Netana said. “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.”
Netana’s prints featured are all rich with symbolism, each telling a distinct story of Aotearoa.The Kōwhai print represents renewal, resilience, and the first light of creation, with koru and mangōpare motifs symbolising new beginnings and strength. Kākā feathers denote mana and leadership, while the Purapura Whetū print honours ancestral navigation through star and fish patterns. The Kiwi feather print, reserved for pilots, reflects prestige and spiritual connection to the land. Finally, the Pepeha Tāniko pattern weaves rivers, mountains, and ancestral ties into a poetic expression of identity, grounding each wearer in place and purpose.
A closer 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:
Pilot Uniform:
The sophisticated double breasted suit features pinstripe detailing, with the subtle inclusion of a kiwi feather print lining – an intentional nod to leadership and prestige within the Air New Zealand whānau.
The Fine Print – Dress:
Cut with Wickstead’s signature sophistication and elegance, this hero garment features the tūī knot neckline and a kōwhai print, inspired by the story of Ngatoro-i-Rangi, symbolising protection, responsibility, and belonging.
The Collective Thread – Shirt:
A gender-inclusive piece, adorned with purapura whetū (starseed) motifs. Worn by both cabin crew and ground staff, it offers form, function and fluidity.
The Wrap Around – Trench:
A tailored outer layer with a purple pinstripe, offering both craftsmanship and comfort.
The Woven One – Ie Faitaga:
The Ie Faitaga celebrates the rich heritage of the Pacific community and is to be trialled by Pasifika team members over the coming months.
The Runway Cut – Waistcoat:
Embodying authority and refinement, this sharply tailored waistcoat for male crew members and ground staff cloaks its wearer in quiet confidence
Air New Zealand will commence onboard wearer trials in May 2025 before the final designs are rolled out for all crew members, pilots and ground staff from 2026.
