The Costume and Textile Association of New Zealand (CTANZ) invites proposals for the 2026 Symposium, to be held 8–10 May 2026 in Whanganui, at the Whanganui Regional Museum.

Inspired by Whanganui’s awa and its heritage as Aotearoa’s only UNESCO City of Design, the theme Haerenga/Journeys explores how dress and textiles trace journeys through time, place, and culture.

CTANZ welcomes papers, panels, and lightning talks on topics including place-based dress and textiles, whakapapa, trade and travel, design journeys, and wellbeing.

Presenters are invited to submit an abstract (max 300 words) with a short bio to president@costumeandtextile.nz by Friday 23 January 2026. Notifications will be sent by 13 February 2026.

Presenters need not be CTANZ members, but must register for the symposium. Contributors are encouraged to publish their work in Context, the CTANZ journal. For more information, email: president@costumeandtextile.nz or view the CTANZ Call for Papers