140 years of defining design
2026 marks 140 years of Ngā Pae Māhutonga Wellington School of Design: a moment to reflect on our rich history, and look forward to the future of design, and our place in it.
Founded by Arthur Riley in 1886, the school became Wellington Technical College in 1905. In 1962, Wellington Technical College split into Wellington High School and Wellington Polytechnic, with the School of Design remaining its major component. Both the school (and the wider College of Creative Arts) are still situated alongside Wellington High School on Pukeahu in Mount Cook, Wellington.
Through 2026, we will be celebrating with a series of events leading up to Exposure, Toi Rauwhārangi’s annual student showcase in November.
