Mitchell HagemanMultimedia Journalist·NZ Herald·12 Jun, 2026 10:00 PM8 mins to readThree generations of Deanne Daysh's family have attended WoW, including (left to right) her mum Anne, daughter Wren and Daysh (far right).In 1987, under a rain-soaked marquee, a Nelson sculptor changed the course of Kiwi creative history. Nearly 40 years later, World of WearableArt now draws thousands a year to New Zealand’s capital, with generations of fans coming year after year to experience the weird and wonderful. Mitchell Hageman hears why.
What makes World of Wearable Art so unique to Kiwis? We asked the superfans
Meet the fans who keep coming back for Wellington’s most spectacular night.









