Type Here 2 finalists exhibited at AUT’s Te Wai Ngutu Kākā Gallery

Presented by creative agency Osborne Shiwan, finalists from Type Here 2, Aotearoa’s contemporary typography competition, is now showing at AUT’s Te Wai Ngutu Kākā Gallery from 19 September to 17 October.

Aotearoa is a place rich in storytelling, from epic mythologies to emotional journeys, our stories carry the very DNA of our nation. Type Here celebrates these personal stories, expressed through language, culture and typography.

Says Lloyd Osborne, Type Here Convenor: “True diversity helps us grow as designers. The Type Here exhibition is a typographic snapshot of who we are as a nation and features a wide gamut of design — from expressions of aroha to social commentary, all ‘types’ are on show.”

The competition theme for 2025 was ‘Kiwi Culchur’. There were 43 finalists selected from 149 entries. The main winner was ‘The Fabric of Society’ by Sonia Mijatov. Judges for Type Here in 2025 were Hamish Childs, Emma Hickey, Kaan Hiini (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Pākehā), Sarah Maxey, and International Judge Bráulio Amado.

Type Here 2 follows on from the TDC69 Aotearoa exhibition which featured ‘the world’s best typography’. Both exhibitions were sponsored by Phantom Billstickers and made extensive use of street posters in their respective campaigns.

Adds Lloyd Osborne: “The Type Here 2 campaign works with ‘Kiwi’ vernacular to engage with our audience at every stage — from competition to exhibition. We decided early on to strip the design down and focus on key messaging. The campaign compliments the exhibition without distracting from the stunning range of work exhibited. Campaign street posters work alongside social media and brand touchpoints within the gallery itself.”

When: 19 September to 17 October
Where: Te Wai Ngutu Kākā Gallery, AUT
Contact: convenor@typehere.co.nz
Instagram: @typehere.aotearoa

Credit: Photographer – Jessica Chloe Photography