Rodd & Gunn’s $1,999 Handcrafted Weekender Headlines Collection to Mark 80 Years of the Pointer

By Ben McKimm - News

Updated: 30 October, 2026

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Readtime: 5 min

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• Rodd & Gunn launches limited-edition 1946 handcrafted New Zealand leather goods.
• Range marks 80 years since the English Pointer emblem was registered.
• Handcrafted by master artisan Zoli Szalardi using Tasman Tannery hides.
• Key pieces include the Large Weekender, Normandy bag, Briefcase, and Satchel.
• Retail prices start from AUD$149 and climb to AUD$1,999.

New Zealand menswear label Rodd & Gunn has launched the limited-edition 1946 Collection to mark 80 years of its English Pointer emblem. It’s a five-piece handcrafted leather luggage capsule, built in New Zealand by master craftsman Zoli Szalardi, using hides from Whanganui Tasman Tannery. Now available in stores and online, the collection focuses on heavy, unsealed leather with archival-heritage plaid linings.

Rather than outsourcing production to offshore mass-manufacturing facilities, the label kept construction domestic by partnering with Szalardi, who has directed Rodd & Gunn’s leather luggage manufacturing for over 25 years. Every hide comes from Whanganui to preserve natural surface grain, allowing the untreated material to breathe and develop an organic patina over time. Then, when we look inside, custom woven plaid lining protects packed cargo while nodding to traditional field tailoring and the archival origins of the Pointer emblem.

The range has everything from everyday accessories to investment-grade travel gear, beginning with the AUD$149 O’Neill Belt, which is the easiest entry point to the capsule’s high-end leather without a four-figure price. Stepping up to bags, the Satchel (ADU$1,099) is a great choice for daily commuters who want hands-free cross-body carry for essentials like a tablet and notebook. Then, for short trips, the Normandy (AUD$1,699) hits the sweet spot between an everyday duffle and an overnight bag, making it a perfect all-rounder. However, it’s the Briefcase (AUD$1,799) that will likely be the hit of the bunch, a favourite among white-collar workers. That, or the Large Weekender (AUD$1,999), which is the clear choice for multi-day road trips and extended travel.

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Local workshop production sits at the very centre of the project. Hungarian-born craftsman Zoli Szalardi learned the trade through generations of family leatherworkers and a rigorous German apprenticeship before establishing his own workshop in Auckland.

Over the past quarter-century, his relationship with Rodd & Gunn has centred on small-batch benchwork, in which pattern pieces are carefully hand-cut, skived, and assembled to withstand a lifetime of use. Rather than coating the Tasman Tannery hides in synthetic finishes, he leaves the leather natural, ensuring each scuff and crease tells the story of where it has travelled.

“The 1946 Collection is a testament to the enduring craftsmanship and authenticity that have shaped our brand for the last 8 decades. For over 25 years, Zoli’s expertise and commitment have helped bring that legacy to life,” said Rodd & Gunn CEO Mike Beagley.

RELATED: Best Luxury Leather Weekender Bags for Men: Buy Once, Keep Forever

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That artisanal focus anchors a large commercial operation. Established in Auckland, Rodd & Gunn has grown from a local Kiwi outfitter into a global menswear staple, with a footprint spanning more than 200 stores, concessions, and outlets across New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe. With partnerships in premier department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and John Lewis, the company has expanded into experiential retail with its ‘The Lodge’ hospitality destinations overlooking Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, Commercial Bay in Auckland, and James Street in Brisbane.

If you value genuine workshop provenance and traceable local materials, this anniversary capsule easily justifies the investment. You’re paying for benchmade handcraftsmanship that will easily outlast mass-produced designer alternatives, backed by a global retail footprint that guarantees long-term care and customer support.