The New Zealand Fashion Week has been cancelled again as Omicron cases surge across the country, a decision that left organisers “gutted”.

Scheduled from February 7-12 New Zealand Fashion Week was cancelled after Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announced the country was moving into a red light Covid setting at 11:59 pm yesterday.

Dame Pieter Stewart, MD and founder of NZFW welcomed the government’s decision, although expressed the ‘incredible disappointment’ for all those involved. “Our designers have put in a huge amount of work, as have our partners, buyers, models, production teams and a number of other people.”

The 100-person limit on venues under the red light setting was not a viable option for the designers to put on a show.

The event was meant to celebrate its 20th anniversary in March 2020, but the event postponed to August last year due to Covid movement restrictions.