Passengers arriving at Dunedin Airport will get a taste of southern fashion this July, with garments from the Mataura Licensing Trust Hokonui Fashion Design Awards now on display at domestic baggage claim.

The display is part of Dunedin Airport’s Silver Sponsorship of the 2026 awards, which take place at the Gore Town & Country Stadium on Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July.

This is the second time Dunedin Airport has supported the awards through its annual Community Funding Programme.

As part of the sponsorship, Dunedin Airport has naming rights for the Open section award, Dunedin Airport Garment with the Most Commercial Potential.

A first look at southern creativity

The terminal display features garments from the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, including Mikayla Lindsay’s 2025 Schools Award of Excellence-winning garment from Otago Girls’ High School, and Viv Tamblyn’s fuchsia garment, winner of the Heather Paterson QSM Best Southland Designer Award in 2024.

The garments are displayed in domestic baggage claim, giving arriving passengers a first look at the creativity, skill, and individuality represented through the awards.

After the 2026 awards in late July, garments from this year’s winners will replace the current display, bringing new work from southern designers into the terminal.

Supporting the region we serve

Dunedin Airport’s purpose is to share the unique beauty and vibrant culture of the lower South with the world.

Through our Community Funding Programme, we support organisations and events that contribute to the wellbeing, creativity, and identity of the region.

The Hokonui Fashion Design Awards are a natural fit. They celebrate regional talent, give emerging designers a national platform, and reflect the strong creative voice of the lower South.

Dunedin Airport General Manager Business Development Megan Crawford said the airport was pleased to support the awards again.

“I’ve followed Dunedin fashion for a long time, and what I love about the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards is that they feel so genuinely southern. They bring together creativity, skill, and individuality from across the lower South, while giving emerging designers a serious platform to be seen.

“Supporting these awards is a way for us to celebrate that talent and share a little of it with passengers as they arrive at Dunedin Airport. We’re really pleased to be involved again this year, and we’re looking forward to seeing the garments bring something fresh and unexpected into the terminal.”

Hokonui Fashion Design Awards representative Kelly-Anne Findlay said the partnership helped extend the reach of the awards beyond the event itself.

“We’re delighted to have Dunedin Airport supporting the 2026 MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards.

“The awards have always been about giving designers a platform, and this partnership helps take that platform beyond the catwalk. Having garments displayed at the airport is a wonderful way to share the creativity of our designers with people as they arrive in the lower South.”

About the awards

The Hokonui Fashion Design Awards mark their 38th anniversary in 2026 and are the longest-running fashion design awards of their type in New Zealand.

Since 1988, the awards have provided a competitive platform for amateur fashion designers to showcase their work in front of respected industry leaders. Past judging panels have included Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper, Kate Sylvester, Francis Hooper, Liz Findlay, Doris de Pont, and Margi Robertson of NOM*d.

Hokonui Strictly Design takes place on Friday 24 July at 7.30pm at the Gore Town & Country Stadium. The evening gives audiences the opportunity to see all designs on the catwalk, with school category winners presented on the night.

The Hokonui Gala Awards take place on Saturday 25 July at 7.30pm, featuring all competition designs, entertainment, judges’ showcases, and award presentations.

Public tickets go on sale Friday 10 July through iTICKET.

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