New Zealand design
Encyclopedia
New Zealand design is both a product of indigenous Maori culture and European traditions and practices where the concept of design applies to Maori Kaupapa (fundamental principles) as well as other cultural spheres.
was explored and colonised by Great Britain
, European settlement beginning in the late 18th century with the arrival of sealing and whaling
crews. The construction of a schooner was started at Luncheon Cove in Dusky Sound in 1790 and completed by castaway sealers in 1795. The Providence was successfully sailed to Norfolk Island
. Early colonial housing was influenced by both Western and Maori traditions where whare (Māori houses) were adapted for temporary accommodation. Early colonial house types were shaped by both English, Australian and North American practice. The verandah
was a typical colonial addition to the regular Georgian era
timber cottage. Furniture was made in New Zealand from the earliest period of colonisation. Whaler’s furniture from the lower South Island displayed contemporary American taste.
in 1840, the development of New Zealand’s urban centres followed the legal sale of land under the British Crown. Small craft-based industries emerged producing necessities for immigrants. Some furniture makers such as Anton Seuffert
(1815-1887) worked on a more ambitious level producing complex inlaid pieces for a connoisseur’s market.
Industrial manufacturing was spurred by the discovery of gold in Central Otago
in 1861. Large firms such as H. E. Shacklock and Co. in Dunedin produced cast iron coal ranges designed for specific New Zealand conditions while Reid and Gray specialised in agricultural implements. A number of foundries specialised in decorative ironwork for the building industry. Steam powered joinery factories such as Guthrie and Larnach's Iron and Woodware Co. in Dunedin published extensive catalogues of fittings; designs often sourced from North America along with the machinery used to produce them.
Early brick-making industries expanded into domestic pottery. Production grew during the 1870s and potteries were established at Milton, Benhar, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. R O Clark's Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Co. became Crown Lynn Potteries and later became the largest producer of domestic wares in the southern hemisphere.
Small scale craft production of silverware and jewelry allowed for an idiosyncratic New Zealand decorative idiom to emerge, focusing on the country's unique flora and fauna.
Industrial scale furniture production began in the late 19th century and expanded so that the main centres each had a range of manufacturers serving different parts of the market. Modernist Scandinavian furniture design was influential in New Zealand. Jon Jansen furniture opened in 1951 and Bente and Kaj Vinther established the Danske Møbler factory and store in Auckland in 1962. The multi-disciplinary design group Brenner Associates was established in 1949 and specialised graphic design agencies including that of Bill Haythornthwaite emerged in the post-war period.
Much industrial, interior, graphic, jewellery and fashion design in New Zealand was influenced by international trends although distinctive New Zealand motifs and iconography were often evident. Flair for experimentation encouraged mechanical inventions such as the jet boat and the John Britten
motorcycle. The challenging New Zealand environment and the success of local climbers Like Sir Edmund Hillary stimulated clothing, backpacks and equipment for the outdoors. A more confident handling of Māori, Pacific and New Zealand images and materials emerged in the 1990s.
, established in 1946. In April 1948 it launched the country's first design publication, the New Zealand Design Review, which it continued to publish until 1954. An Auckland Design Guild was formed in 1949 but failed to survive to the end of that year. In Christchurch, a group of interested persons established the Design Association of New Zealand in 1960. The formation of a design practitioner body, the New Zealand Society of Industrial Artists, which was modelled on the British Society of Industrial Artists (known since 1976 as the Chartered Society of Designers
), was mooted in October 1959 by a group of largely British-trained, Auckland-based designers teaching at the Elam School of Art, although it was not legally incorporated – as the New Zealand Society of Industrial Designers – until 1961. The Department of Industries and Commerce, headed by its permanent secretary Bill Sutch
, began investigations into the possibility of establishing a national design promotion body, modelled on the British Council of Industrial Design (known since 1973 as the Design Council
) in April 1958. This work led to the formation of the New Zealand Industrial Design Council, established under the terms of the Industrial Design Act 1966. Although significantly under-resourced, the council functioned from November 1967 until December 1988 when it was abolished; certain of its activities being derogated to a quality assessment body, TELARC. Finally in 1991 the remaining organisations merged to form the Designers Institute of New Zealand, promoting graphic, spatial, industrial, fashion and craft design, and the management and teaching of these disciplines. Architecture and design is taught at a wide range of tertiary institutions, including AUT
, Massey
, Victoria
and Otago Universities, Unitec
and Otago Polytechnic
.
Maori design
Maori concepts of design involve an active relationship between traditional and contemporary practices. Pre-European Maori had no written language so tribal history and beliefs were kept in the form of objects ranging from woven baskets to complex carvings in wood, bone, shell and greenstone. These objects or 'Taonga' were passed down through generations of tribal elders, taking on the spirits of past owners. Therefore Maori culture incorporates strong links between objects and spirituality.Early colonial New Zealand design
New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
was explored and colonised by Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, European settlement beginning in the late 18th century with the arrival of sealing and whaling
Whaling
Whaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
crews. The construction of a schooner was started at Luncheon Cove in Dusky Sound in 1790 and completed by castaway sealers in 1795. The Providence was successfully sailed to Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
. Early colonial housing was influenced by both Western and Maori traditions where whare (Māori houses) were adapted for temporary accommodation. Early colonial house types were shaped by both English, Australian and North American practice. The verandah
Verandah
A veranda or verandah is a roofed opened gallery or porch. It is also described as an open pillared gallery, generally roofed, built around a central structure...
was a typical colonial addition to the regular Georgian era
Georgian era
The Georgian era is a period of British history which takes its name from, and is normally defined as spanning the reigns of, the first four Hanoverian kings of Great Britain : George I, George II, George III and George IV...
timber cottage. Furniture was made in New Zealand from the earliest period of colonisation. Whaler’s furniture from the lower South Island displayed contemporary American taste.
19th century New Zealand design
While smaller settlements emerged in the North and South Islands prior to the signing of the Treaty of WaitangiTreaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
in 1840, the development of New Zealand’s urban centres followed the legal sale of land under the British Crown. Small craft-based industries emerged producing necessities for immigrants. Some furniture makers such as Anton Seuffert
Anton Seuffert
Anton Seuffert was born in Bohemia. He was a cabinetmaker with a particular expertise in the art of marquetry.Anton Seuffert, also known as Anton Seufert, learned his craft from his father, Anton Seufert senior, who was also a cabinetmaker. Seuffert worked in Vienna for the Austrian furniture...
(1815-1887) worked on a more ambitious level producing complex inlaid pieces for a connoisseur’s market.
Industrial manufacturing was spurred by the discovery of gold in Central Otago
Central Otago
Central Otago is the inland part of the New Zealand region of Otago in the South Island. The area commonly known as Central Otago includes both the Central Otago District and the Queenstown-Lakes District to the west....
in 1861. Large firms such as H. E. Shacklock and Co. in Dunedin produced cast iron coal ranges designed for specific New Zealand conditions while Reid and Gray specialised in agricultural implements. A number of foundries specialised in decorative ironwork for the building industry. Steam powered joinery factories such as Guthrie and Larnach's Iron and Woodware Co. in Dunedin published extensive catalogues of fittings; designs often sourced from North America along with the machinery used to produce them.
Early brick-making industries expanded into domestic pottery. Production grew during the 1870s and potteries were established at Milton, Benhar, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. R O Clark's Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Co. became Crown Lynn Potteries and later became the largest producer of domestic wares in the southern hemisphere.
Small scale craft production of silverware and jewelry allowed for an idiosyncratic New Zealand decorative idiom to emerge, focusing on the country's unique flora and fauna.
20th century New Zealand design
New Zealand’s isolation from the source of production of many goods encouraged self sufficiency and the development of manufacturing industries that used local raw materials as well as imported resources. These included foundries, potteries and brickworks, glass works and textile mills.Industrial scale furniture production began in the late 19th century and expanded so that the main centres each had a range of manufacturers serving different parts of the market. Modernist Scandinavian furniture design was influential in New Zealand. Jon Jansen furniture opened in 1951 and Bente and Kaj Vinther established the Danske Møbler factory and store in Auckland in 1962. The multi-disciplinary design group Brenner Associates was established in 1949 and specialised graphic design agencies including that of Bill Haythornthwaite emerged in the post-war period.
Much industrial, interior, graphic, jewellery and fashion design in New Zealand was influenced by international trends although distinctive New Zealand motifs and iconography were often evident. Flair for experimentation encouraged mechanical inventions such as the jet boat and the John Britten
John Britten
John Kenton Britten was a New Zealand mechanical engineer who designed a world-record-setting motorcycle with innovative features which are still ahead of contemporary design.-Biography:...
motorcycle. The challenging New Zealand environment and the success of local climbers Like Sir Edmund Hillary stimulated clothing, backpacks and equipment for the outdoors. A more confident handling of Māori, Pacific and New Zealand images and materials emerged in the 1990s.
Organisations and structures
Various organisations were established to foster New Zealand design in the aftermath of the Second World War. The earliest body to promote an appreciation of design in New Zealand was the Wellington Architectural CentreWellington Architectural Centre
The Architectural Centre Inc is a nonprofit organization in Wellington, New Zealand for architects and laypeople which offers lectures, site visits, tours and exhibitions.It is a co-organiser of Wellington Architecture Week.-History of the Centre:...
, established in 1946. In April 1948 it launched the country's first design publication, the New Zealand Design Review, which it continued to publish until 1954. An Auckland Design Guild was formed in 1949 but failed to survive to the end of that year. In Christchurch, a group of interested persons established the Design Association of New Zealand in 1960. The formation of a design practitioner body, the New Zealand Society of Industrial Artists, which was modelled on the British Society of Industrial Artists (known since 1976 as the Chartered Society of Designers
Chartered Society of Designers
The Chartered Society of Designers , headquartered in London, England, is the professional body for designers. It is the world's only Royal chartered body of professional designers...
), was mooted in October 1959 by a group of largely British-trained, Auckland-based designers teaching at the Elam School of Art, although it was not legally incorporated – as the New Zealand Society of Industrial Designers – until 1961. The Department of Industries and Commerce, headed by its permanent secretary Bill Sutch
Bill Sutch
William Ball Sutch was a New Zealand economist, historian, writer, public servant, and public intellectual. In 1974, he was charged with trying to pass New Zealand Government information to the Soviet Union. He was acquitted....
, began investigations into the possibility of establishing a national design promotion body, modelled on the British Council of Industrial Design (known since 1973 as the Design Council
Design Council
The Design Council is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body incorporated by Royal Charter and registered as a charity.Registered charity number 272099.- In the beginning :The Design Council started in 1944 as the Council of Industrial Design...
) in April 1958. This work led to the formation of the New Zealand Industrial Design Council, established under the terms of the Industrial Design Act 1966. Although significantly under-resourced, the council functioned from November 1967 until December 1988 when it was abolished; certain of its activities being derogated to a quality assessment body, TELARC. Finally in 1991 the remaining organisations merged to form the Designers Institute of New Zealand, promoting graphic, spatial, industrial, fashion and craft design, and the management and teaching of these disciplines. Architecture and design is taught at a wide range of tertiary institutions, including AUT
Auckland University of Technology
The Auckland University of Technology is a university in New Zealand. It was formed on 1 January 2000 when the Auckland Institute of Technology was granted university status. Its primary campus is on Wellesley Street in Auckland's Central business district...
, Massey
Massey University
Massey University is one of New Zealand's largest universities with approximately 36,000 students, 20,000 of whom are extramural students.The University has campuses in Palmerston North , Wellington and Auckland . Massey offers most of its degrees extramurally within New Zealand and internationally...
, Victoria
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
and Otago Universities, Unitec
Unitec New Zealand
Unitec Institute of Technology is the largest institute of technology in Auckland, New Zealand with over 23,800 students in 2010....
and Otago Polytechnic
Otago Polytechnic
The Otago Polytechnic is a public New Zealand tertiary education institute, centred in Dunedin with campuses throughout the region of Otago including Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown....
.