A brand agency for New Zealand.
Obvious is a New Zealand brand and creative agency with studios in Wellington and Auckland. We partner with NZ organisations that treat brand and communication design as strategy. Our clients include Crown entities, councils, tertiary institutions, cultural organisations and scale-stage businesses across Aotearoa.
We bring strategy, identity, content, websites, social media, video and campaigns into one senior team. Evidence-led work, built to grow with you.
Who we work with
We work best with New Zealand organisations that take brand seriously as strategy. Most engagements come from one of five places.
Crown entities, councils and central government
Brand foundations and rebrands inside AoG procurement frameworks. Communications partnerships across 10 Year Plans, citizen-facing campaigns and Crown service brands. Recent: Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council, Ferry Holdings.
Universities, polytechs, schools and EdTech
Brand strategy and creative for New Zealand tertiary institutions, EdTech businesses and education peak bodies. Recent: University of Otago, Whitireia and WelTec, Te Mahi Ako, NZUSA, Tertiary Education Union.
Cultural institutions, theatre, festivals
Brand and creative for the cultural sector. Festival brands, theatre identities, books and storytelling. Recent: BATS Theatre, TEDxPipitea, TEDxWellington, Booksellers Aotearoa, World of WearableArt.
Founders, scale-ups, B2B SaaS, professional services
Brand foundation and rebrand work for New Zealand businesses ready to scale. Recent: Kepla, SuiteFiles, Mission Ready, MSQ Health, Orbit, Talent Connect.
What we do across NZ
Brand Strategy and Positioning
Brand positioning, research, messaging and campaign strategy. The foundation of every engagement.
Visual Identity and Design
Logo design NZ, visual identity systems, graphic design and photography. Identity that activates strategy.
Video, Content and Podcasts
Corporate video, podcast production and brand films for NZ organisations. End to end, Wellington to Auckland.
Websites and Online Presence
Website design NZ, community platforms and brand-led online experiences built to convert.
Social Media and Content Production
Social media management NZ, content production and brand storytelling that builds profile and presence.
Campaigns and Activations
Campaign design, campaign strategy, out-of-home advertising and brand activations across New Zealand.
Where we work in New Zealand
Wellington
Our home studio. Based at Level 4/6 Panama Street, ANZAC House, Wellington 6011. We work with Crown entities, Wellington City Council, BATS Theatre, Hutt City Council and Te Papa-adjacent cultural organisations.
Auckland
Brand strategy and creative for Auckland organisations, from corporate identity to campaign work. We deliver into Tāmaki Makaurau with the same senior team as our Wellington engagements.
Nationwide
Brand and creative work for clients across Aotearoa. Education providers in Dunedin and Christchurch, councils across the regions, scale-stage businesses in every centre. Approved All-of-Government supplier and RBPN accredited (NPS +60).
Brand agency NZ. Common questions.
What does a brand agency in New Zealand actually do?
A brand agency in New Zealand combines strategy and creative to define what a brand stands for and how it shows up. At Obvious that means brand positioning, identity systems, messaging, websites, social, video, campaigns and ongoing creative support, delivered by one senior team across our Wellington and Auckland studios.
How is a brand strategy agency different from a marketing agency?
Brand strategy defines positioning, audience, voice and difference. The long-game foundation. Marketing strategy turns that foundation into campaigns, channels and measurable activity. Both matter. Obvious holds the brand-strategy and brand-creative layers. For performance marketing and media buying we work with Aro Digital and Kepla as part of Paradigm Group.
How much does brand strategy and identity cost in New Zealand?
For a mid-sized NZ business, a focused brand foundation engagement covering positioning, identity, voice and guidelines typically runs NZ$25,000 to $80,000. Crown entities and large multi-brand groups can run NZ$80,000 to $200,000+. See our pricing page for full bands.
Do you work outside Wellington and Auckland?
Yes. Our studios are in Wellington and Auckland but we deliver brand work nationwide. Education providers, councils, Crown entities and scale-stage businesses across Aotearoa. We are an approved All-of-Government supplier and RBPN accredited (NPS +60).
How long does a brand engagement take?
A focused brand strategy and identity engagement typically runs 6 to 12 weeks for a mid-sized business. Crown entity rebrands and multi-brand groups can run 12 to 26 weeks. Ongoing brand partnerships run monthly with no end date.
What is the difference between a rebrand, a brand refresh and brand evolution?
A rebrand redefines the strategy and identity. It is usually the right answer when positioning, audience or business model has shifted. A refresh updates visual elements (logo, palette, type) while the strategy stays. Brand evolution is iterative change inside an existing strategy. Most NZ organisations need an evolution. A small number genuinely need a rebrand. Our Journal article covers how to tell which.
Ready to talk about a brand engagement?
Two ways to work with Obvious. A retained Brand Partnership for ongoing creative capacity, or a scoped Strategic Project with senior delivery. Or just book a 30 minute call.