Our first NZ Design Week Event, Aotearoa Made: A New Era of Colour and Craft

30 August 2026

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Step inside Ambitec’s first NZ Design Week event, celebrating Aotearoa-made craftsmanship, expressive colour and the evolving possibilities of polished plaster through a new era of creativity and design.

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Unveiling the New Ambitec Showroom

The event was held in our new Auckland showroom, an endeavour which has allowed us to demonstrate the breadth of the Ambitec brand in a way that samples and swatches simply can’t.

Bold in colour, rich in texture, and grounded in craft, we continue to expand the range of bespoke interior finishes available for architects and designers in New Zealand. And now, within our new Mt Roskill premises, visitors can explore each of our polished plaster finishes, experiencing how light and texture interweave to influence the way a space is perceived.

Throughout the evening, we offered an intimate look into the Ambitec story; the why behind what we do, the thinking and making that shape our work, and the partnerships that continue to guide us.

The event also marked the soft launch of our nearly-ready, locally manufactured polished plaster finishes. For us, it very much felt like both a celebration of how far we’ve come and a new beginning.

Honouring Craft and Collaboration

We had the pleasure of showcasing a collection of artworks by David Austin and Tristan Marler, part of a wider collective of Māori uku/clay artists curated by Chantel Matthews of Wai Create. We’re proud to support their journey to the 2026 Aotearoa Art Fair,creating the plinths for their booth as part of our ongoing collaboration.

Their work is a reminder that craft is more than technique; it is connection, identity, and story. Their pieces sat beautifully within the showroom because they reflect the same values that guide us: people, place, and the power of the handmade.

Conversations about Craft and Colour

At the opening of our showroom, we strived to do much more than simply enjoy good company and share our new space. Instead, we wanted to open a conversation about craft, colour, the role of imperfection in artistry, and the way materials shape the human experience.

Be it art or architectural finishes, any handmade surface is rarely static. It shifts with light, responds to its surroundings, and reveals more to you the longer you spend with it. Colour has a huge influence in this, but how it’s realised depends on the hands and decisions involved at every stage.

Plaster may be a traditional surface, but at Ambitec, our products allow the creatively inclined to explore their vision and for the craftsman to create something exceptional.

For that reason, Ambitec has always been a collaboration between designers, installers, makers, and clients, and this next chapter is no different.

Looking Toward an Exciting 2026

As we continue to refine our Aotearoa-made polished plaster finishes, we’re excited for what comes next. We’re continuing to explore new textures, new colours, and new opportunities to walk the intersection of craft and contemporary design.

If you’d like to experience the space or learn more about our locally made finishes, we welcome you to visit our Auckland showroom or explore our work at ambitec.co.nz.