About ctanz

Installation shot of He Kete Iti at the Whanganui Regional Museum, 2026. The project was led by Dr Maureen Lander.

Kia ora

Welcome to Costume & Textiles Aotearoa New Zealand.

CTANZ is a national non-profit organisation committed to fostering a diverse and supportive community passionate about dress and textiles.

We seek to:

  • promote interest in all aspects of contemporary and historical dress and textiles, especially those relating to Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and Australasia
  • encourage the conservation of dress and textiles
  • foster a spirit of community, inclusiveness and mutual helpfulness among CTANZ’s members
  • hold an annual symposium to share research and ideas
  • provide publishing opportunities.
Dinner at the Whanganui Musicians Club, catered by Big Moose.
Exhibition at Waitaki Museum to celebrate 21 years of CTANZ symposia, Ōamaru 2023

Our members include practitioners, curators, conservators, academics, historians, collectors and enthusiasts who share a stronger than average interest in all aspects of dress and textiles.

We welcome new members; you can join here.

*CTANZ was originally established in 2002 as the New Zealand Costume & Textile Section of the Auckland Museum Institute, and was until 2025 known as the Costume & Textile Association of New Zealand.