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The government is investing $880,000 from the Major Events Fund to support the World of WearableArt (WOW) Exhibition, a new visitor experience that will take the stage in Wellington in 2027.
The exhibition will showcase WOW’s most iconic and award-winning garments in a high tech, immersive environment celebrating four decades of New Zealand creativity, innovation and storytelling.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the investment will help share New Zealand’s creative excellence on a global scale while encouraging benefits for tourism and the economy.
“As WOW celebrates 40 years of showcasing extraordinary creativity, I’m delighted the government is supporting an event that honours New Zealand talent while helping attract visitors and investment to our shores,” Upston says.
Expected to attract more than 1500 international visitors, the exhibition has been timed alongside the annual WOW show, the Global Wearable Art Summit and the Australian school holiday period.
The 2026 World of WearableArt event received a $400,000 investment from the Events Boost Fund to support international marketing campaigns, attract visitors and encourage short-term economic activity.
After it features in Wellington, the exhibition will tour internationally – more details will be announced next year.
“WOW is a globally recognised New Zealand success story,” says Upston. “This investment supports a uniquely New Zealand event with global reach and helps position us as a world-leading creative nation.”
“I can’t wait to see the exhibition come to life,” she says.
Click here to read our interview with Karaka’s Erna Van Der Wat.
