Introducing Te Rangitu Netana: Bringing Powerful Print Design To Air New Zealand's Next Uniform

The work and designs of internationally acclaimed artist Te Rangitu Netana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai and Te Arawa) will soon be proudly worn by thousands of Air New Zealanders across the globe. The tā moko practitioner has taken his craft to new heights, collaborating with Emilia Wickstead on print design for Air New Zealand’s much-anticipated new uniform.

Te Rangitu Netana, whose work as a tā moko artist has spanned 35 years, is widely recognised for his mastery of Māori tattoo art. Originally from Kaikohe in the far north of Aotearoa, Te Rangitu relocated to the UK, sharing his craft and Māori culture with the world. His unique approach blends artistic expertise with cultural storytelling, making him the perfect fit to design the prints for the Air New Zealand uniform.

As Kiwi living in the UK, Te Rangitu and Emilia were well-acquainted with one another and held a profound mutual respect for each other’s artistry and craftsmanship. Their shared experience of being far from home further strengthened their bond, making their collaboration feel effortless. This deep connection paved the way for a creative partnership that helped to produce powerful designs.

Each print, meticulously hand-drawn by Te Rangitu, tells a story deeply rooted in the indigenous heritage, history, and culture of Aotearoa. The designs reflect Air New Zealand’s values, ensuring that every wearer of the uniform will feel inspired, proud, and connected to Aotearoa, wherever they are in the world.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran says the airline is proud to partner with someone of Te Rangitu’s calibre to bring New Zealand’s unique heritage and culture to life.

“We are thrilled to partner with Te Rangitu on this new chapter of Air New Zealand’s identity. The partnership between Te Rangitu and Emilia Wickstead perfectly embodies our commitment to reflecting the beauty and heritage of Aotearoa.

“The design of this uniform is not only a celebration of our people and culture, but a symbol of empowerment for everyone who wears it. We can’t wait to reveal the new uniform to the world in just a few short weeks.”

Te Rangitu Netana says, “Although we can't share too much yet, there are many references within the print design to our Taiao (environment), including our maunga (mountains), awa (rivers), ngai kīrehe, (fauna and ecology), and the narratives of our foundations. We wanted to combine style, class and elegance with the strength and subtlety of empowering details, reflecting a sense of pride, humility and innovation, as the combination of these qualities reserves New Zealand a unique place in the world. When all of the interrelated elements come together, I hope people can appreciate the subtle meanings. Nō reira, mihi nui te aroha ki ngā hapū, ngā iwi, ngā tāngata kātoa nō Aotearoa, hei manaaki ki roto i tātou kōtahitanga.”

Emilia Wickstead says, “I first met Te Rangitu five years ago and bringing him into this project was deeply important to me. His artistry and profound connection to te ao Māori have enriched every design element with cultural richness and storytelling. Together, we have crafted a narrative that celebrates heritage, craftsmanship, and a shared sense of belonging — values that are deeply meaningful to both Air New Zealand and to my own design philosophy. This collaboration has been an inspiring and rewarding journey, reflecting the beauty, strength, and spirit of Aotearoa.”

This collaboration represents a meaningful fusion of tradition and craftsmanship. The prints were carefully curated to ensure they adhered to tikanga (Māori customs and values), providing an authentic and culturally respectful representation of Aotearoa. The partnership also ensured that Te Rangitu’s guidance was integral to the design process, ensuring both cultural integrity and heritage were celebrated.

Te Rangitu’s dedication to promoting Māori culture has made him one of the most sought-after tā moko artists globally. His work with Air New Zealand marks another milestone in his mission to elevate Māori artistry on the world stage.

About Te Rangitu Netana – Print Artist

Te Rangitu Netana is an internationally acclaimed tā moko practitioner, artist, and advocate for Māori culture. Of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, and Te Arawa descent, Te Rangitu has spent over 35 years perfecting his craft.

In 2015, he moved to the UK, where he continues to promote Māori culture through his tattoo studio and artistic design. Te Rangitu’s art is known for its deep spiritual and cultural significance, drawing on the individual character and life stories of those he works with.

The new Air New Zealand uniform designed by Emilia Wickstead, with unique prints hand drawn by Te Rangitu Netana, will be unveiled to the public on 11 April 2025.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 8.7 years. Air New Zealand’s global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2023, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2024 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline’s laser-focus on safety and won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand in 2023 – the 9th year in a row.

Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Frameworkhelps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn AirpointsDollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.

About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in 189 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

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