2023
AGI
Aotearoa
New Zealand
17 —
22.09
AGI
Congress
17 —
22.09
2023
AGI
Aotearoa
New Zealand
17 —
22.09
AGI
Congress
17 —
22.09
2023
17 — 22
September
AGI member only event
AGI Congress 2023, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Land of the long white cloud. First country to see the light. World’s last discovered land mass. And one of the few countries in the world to have an adjective as part of its name. Aotearoa New Zealand. A place for new thinking, new conversations, new adventures.
Aotearoa has always been a place defined by the elements and sought by keen explorers. 750 years ago, the legendary Polynesian navigator Kupe was first to sight and set foot on the land of the long white cloud. In 1642, the first European, Abel Tasman, sighted what he called ‘Staten Landt’. In 1769, James Cook, chasing the Transit of Venus, mapped the archipelago’s coastline and set in motion the gears of colonialism.
In 2023, we are thrilled and excited to invite intrepid members of the Alliance Graphique Internationale to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for the AGI Congress and Open. In the indigenous language of Aotearoa, te reo Māori, Tāmaki Makaurau means ‘desired by many’, and we hope our full and varied programme, and the qualities of the destination, will entice members from across the great oceans.
Following the two-day AGI Open, our Congress flies the flag for cultural immersion. From the untameable beauty of the West Coast, where mighty surf crashes onto vast black-sand beaches, and through ancient forests clothed in green, we chart a line eastwards, through landscapes dominated by volcanic cones and harbours, across an exclusive private art ‘farm’, to the urban centre, where we will discover art and architecture that captures the indigenous spirit of place. All with mini-excursions on electric motorbikes designed in New Zealand. Our time together concludes with wine, fusion food and designed memories on beautiful Waiheke, the white-sand ‘island of trickling waters’.
For most members, Aotearoa New Zealand represents a significant journey. AGI Congress 2023 is a climate positive event. We've calculated our projected carbon footprint and will offset 125% of event emissions with restorative native forestry projects. We promise it will be a memorable one. To maximise the possibilities of your adventure, we advise you to begin planning soon.
From an island, every view is a new horizon.
Ka kite ākuanei.
See you soon.
The AGI NZ organising team,
Dean Poole, Kris Sowersby, Michaela Webb, James Goggin, Arch MacDonnell.
Programme
In Aotearoa New Zealand, manaakitanga is the showing of respect, generosity and hospitality to people – from family and communities to guests and visitors. ‘Mana’ is the spiritual essence found in a person, place or object, while 'aki' is to encourage or urge on. Together, as manaaki, they introduce the idea of reciprocity and the power of hospitality. When we invite people to our country, we give them hospitality and uplift their mana. In return, they respect our customs and culture, enhancing our mana in return. As you join us for the week, you’ll experience this concept in a full and varied programme of activities, experiences and occasions, all created to lift the spirit, along with moments to relax and simply enjoy good company.
Sunday
17 September 2023
AGI Welcome Drinks — 18:30
BIVACCO, Bar & Griglia — Wynyard Quarter
Nau mai, haere mai – Welcome AGI Friends. We celebrate your arrival at BIVACCO on the water of the Waitematā Harbour. We laugh, we talk, we embrace, we raise our glasses to new friends and the beginning of our adventure, on the edge of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest recreational marina.
Location
Bivacco
115 Customs Street West,
Auckland CBD
Monday
18 September 2023
AGI Open — Day One — 10:00
Aotea Centre
We embark on the two-day AGI Open at the Aotea Centre, Auckland’s flagship venue, with an audience of up to 2,000 creative community in attendance. The large, multi-tiered auditorium spills out into expansive foyers and a large public square – the perfect environment for sharing design knowledge in a festival-like format that aims to inspire a new generation of designers.
Location
Aotea Centre
115 Customs Street West,
Auckland CBD
AGI Special Project — 19:30
Objectspace Gallery
Following day one of AGI Open we head to Objectspace, a public gallery dedicated to the framing of New Zealand craft, design and architecture practice within a range of cultural, economic and social frameworks.
The theme for our Special Project is in Te Reo Māori, Kōrero.
\ koh-re-ro \
1. (verb) to tell, say, speak, read, talk, address
2. (noun) speech, narrative, story, account, discussion, conversation, discourse, statement, information.
We invite you to design a poster with two words in any language, which we’ll print in White Ink on Fedrigoni Sirio Black.
As an organisation we reflect many countries, many languages, and many different lived experiences, all of which are reflected in the constantly evolving language of design. We will gather together at the Congress to engage in conversation, just as our work is in constant dialogue with the world around us.
The results will be exhibited together in visual dialogue at Objectspace Gallery during the Congress and in a Kōrero publication which will be sent to all members post-Congress.
Location
Objectspace Gallery
13 Rose Road, Grey Lynn,
Ponsonby, Auckland
Tuesday
19 September 2023
AGI Open — Day Two — 10:00
Aotea Centre
Our immersion in design culture and visual communication continues at Auckland’s Aotea Centre. We will share forms of individual creative expression and personal design philosophies, from image making and life-centred design, to design outside capitalism, world-making and design futures driven by artificial intelligence.
Location
Aotea Centre
115 Customs Street West,
Auckland CBD
AGI Open — Studio Party — 19:30
Alt Group
To celebrate the end of the AGI Open, we welcome you to a party at Alt Group studio. Music will be playing, custom cocktail drinks will be flowing, and the Asaba Table will be available for ping-pong stand-offs.
Location
Alt Group Studio
16 Mackelvie Street
Grey Lynn, Ponsonby
Auckland
Wednesday
20 September 2023
AGI Congress — Day Three — 08:45
The Cloud
At the Cloud, an event space on the end of Queen's Wharf, we immerse ourselves in the design culture of Aotearoa New Zealand with leading contemporary artists whose engagement with Te Ao Māori – the Māori world view, customs, protocols and identity – is evolving the design expression of place and revitalising indigenous language, mark making and customary practice.
Location
The Cloud
89 Quay Street,
Queen's Wharf
Auckland CBD
AGI Tour of the Māori Collection — 16:45
Auckland Museum
Accompanied by Aotearoa’s leading Māori arts curator, we visit Auckland Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Māori and Pacific artifacts. Sited on the highest point of a large urban park, with panoramic harbour views, the building’s neoclassical facade belies an interior refurbishment that speaks to Pacific design. This personalised tour includes the Hotunui meeting house, carved in 1878, and Te Toki-a-Tāpiri, one of the last traditional waka (canoe), carved around 1836.
Location
Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Auckland Domain
Thursday
21 September 2023
AGI Congress Art Tour — Day Four — 10:00
Gibbs Farm
The ‘farm’ is a privately owned, sculpted landscape on the edge of the Kaipara Harbour, an hour from Auckland’s city centre. It was created by Alan Gibbs, a prominent New Zealand businessman, who has transformed the land with major, site-specific sculptures by Anish Kapoor, Sol LeWitt, Richard Serra, Maya Lin, Neil Dawson, Andy Goldsworthy, Daniel Buren and many more. To be granted access to Gibbs Farm is a rare privilege – even for those that live in Auckland, so we count ourselves fortunate to have exclusive access.
Location
Gibbs Farm
0984/2421 Kaipara Coast Highway,
Makarau 0984
AGI Gala Dinner — 19:00
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
To officially mark the end of the AGI Open and Congress, we undertake a formal celebration at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki – the principal public gallery in Auckland, and winner of building of the year at the 2012 World Architecture Festival.
We will be transported to the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki by Bus.
Buses will depart from the QT Hotel at 18:45 pm for a 19:00 pm start.
We will have a private viewing of the Auckland Art Gallery’s current show 'Romancing the Collection'. This collection includes major holdings of historic, modern and contemporary New Zealand and international art, and outstanding works by leading Māori and Pacific artists.
Location
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Cnr Kitchener and Wellesley Streets
Auckland Central
Friday
22 September 2023
AGI General Assembly — Day Five — 10:00
The Annex
We continue the official business of the Congress with the AGI General Assembly at the Annex, a venue at the heart of Wynyard Quarter, walking distance from the suggested hotel accommodation.
Location
The Annex at 10 Madden Street
10 Madden Street
Auckland CBD, Wynyard Quarter
AGI Excursion — Karekare Beach — 13:00
Karekare Surf Club
After the official closing of the AGI Open and Congress, Dean Poole and Krista Dudson invite members to their bach at Karekare beach – “our home away from home”. Nestled into the native rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges and a 40-minute car ride from central Auckland, it’s a location that will make you feel like you’ve arrived at the edge of the world. For active relaxers it’s a chance to surf, take a waterfall walk, or enjoy a 5-minute stroll to the remote, awe-inspiring black-sand beach. Or, simply take the time to sit, chat and eat, immersed in nature and surrounded by birdsong.
Location
Karekare Surf Club
2 Karekare Road, Huia, Karekare
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Saturday
23 September 2023
AGI Relax
Waiheke Island
For members staying on in Auckland, we welcome you to a relaxed afternoon on stunning Waiheke Island, a haven of beautiful vineyards, olive groves and white sand beaches located in the Hauraki Gulf, just a 40-minute boat ride from downtown Auckland.
We invite you to Mawhiti, a stunning residence with captivating views of the Auckland skyline and harbour. The private architectural retreat with its sculptural Gateway Pavilion was designed by Stevens Lawson Architects, and is the perfect spot for fine wines and a classic New Zealand barbeque lunch.
Additional recreational activities to be announced.
Accommodation
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a multi-cultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. The hotels we have recommended for the AGI Congress are all located within a 1km radius or 10-minute walk of the sparkling waters of the Waitematā Harbour, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and the Aotea Centre, one of our primary venues, so there is little need for public transport or taxis.
We have selected the waterside QT Auckland as the main AGI hotel. It is our primary hotel recommendation and will be the centre of our operations during the Open and Congress.
QT Auckland
AGI Main Hotel
Located near to key Congress and Open venues, this boutique hotel offers a personalised guest experience, excellent dining and some quirky touches. Accessibly located in the Viaduct, the QT is surrounded by superb places to dine and admire yachts and boats as they come and go. The QT’s rooftop bar, with sweeping harbour views, is the perfect place to debrief on the day’s events.
4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue
Wynyard Quarter
Special AGI member offer is available for
Wednesday 13 September – Tuesday 26 September
Early booking is advised.
Travelodge Hotel Auckland
3.5 Star Hotel
Conveniently located in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, the Travelodge Hotel is a mid-scale alternative in an upscale neighbourhood – and a cost effective alternative for those looking for somewhere stylish to lay their head. The hotel is located near the central city’s key destinations, including North Wharf dining precinct, Auckland Fish Market, and the shopping precincts at Britomart and Commercial Bay. Please note: No breakfast facilities onsite.
Bookings
Promo code: TH15539283
110 Pakenham St West
Wynyard Quarter
Sudima Auckland City
4 Star Hotel
The Sudima is a new 4 star hotel located within easy walking distance of most Congress and Open venues. It is also close to the city’s major shopping, arts, dining and entertainment destinations. Hotel amenities include the restaurant East, a lobby bar and the tenth-floor Sunset Bar.
Promo code: AGI123
63–67 Nelson Street
Auckland CBD
The Hotel Britomart
5 Star Boutique Hotel
Recognised as one of the best hotels in downtown Auckland, the Hotel Britomart has 99 guest rooms and five beautiful suites. The interiors designed by Cheshire Architects are finished with beautiful natural materials, and feature elegantly tiled bathrooms, built-in sofas and handmade ceramics. Outside, the historic Britomart warehouse precinct is home to some of the country’s best restaurants and bars.
Promo code: AKLAGI23
29 Galway Street
Britomart
Park Hyatt
5 Star Luxury Hotel
Located on the water’s edge with expansive views of Wynyard Quarter’s Lighter Basin and the Waitematā Harbour, the Park Hyatt offers sophisticated and luxurious 5 Star accommodation. Amenities include four restaurants and bars, a day spa, 25m infinity pool, and fitness centre. Wander around Wynyard Quarter, eat in its many restaurants and bars, or simply enjoy watching the boats come and go from the privacy of your bedroom.
99 Halsey Street
Auckland CBD
The AGI NZ organising team, Dean Poole, Kris Sowersby, Michaela Webb, James Goggin, Arch MacDonnell.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
congress@a-g-i.org
For general information please contact:
info@a-g-i.org
2023
AGI
Aotearoa
New Zealand
17 —
22.09
AGI
Congress
17 —
22.09