Saatchi & Saatchi farewells The Strand after more than three decades

After more than three decades at its iconic home on The Strand in Parnell, Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand has closed the doors on an era.

Current staff, clients and alumni gathered to bid farewell to the space that helped shape some of the country’s most memorable campaigns and careers.

The farewell formed part of Saatchi’s Home is Where the Art Is initiative — a reminder that great creativity doesn’t live in a building, but with the people who make it happen.

Chief Creative Officer Steve Cochran reflected on the moment in a heartfelt LinkedIn post, writing that “Saatchi & Saatchi have literally left the building. The blue neon letters that adorned this iconic corner building in Auckland for nearly 35 years, no longer do.”

He recalled the quirks of the 113-year-old former wool shed, from “puffer jackets at your desk all day” to “buckets that came out when it rained”, and noted that despite its flaws, it remained “that lovable old cold building” many were proud to call home. Cochran added that while it was bittersweet to see the famous ampersand come down, he’s excited to lead “the first creative era of Saatchi & Saatchi at Sale Street — hopefully with some decent heating.”

The move to Publicis Groupe’s new connected campus on Sales Street marks a fresh chapter for the agency. The Saatchi & Saatchi art collection will also make the move, bridging the agency’s storied past with its future of “Nothing is Impossible.”

In true Saatchi spirit, the agency has also joined The Arts Foundation’s Supernova Business Club, supporting the next generation of New Zealand artists.