A contract for "the New Zealand Story" - the Government's campaign to promote the country internationally - has been given to a largely Australian design agency - Principals.
Designers Institute of New Zealand chief executive Cathy Veninga says several NZe agencies would have been able to do the job - and would have been more appropriate than an Australian firm.
Almost 30 submissions were made for the contract from other companies.
Brian Richards, an Auckland designer who was a finalist for the contract, said the public should be outraged that the New Zealand Story would be told by Australians.
"The Prime Minister is in Hollywood is wooing storytellers with tax incentives to operate here quoting, 'It's about jobs for New Zealanders' and his minister [Steven] Joyce, at the same moment, is giving work to Australians," says Richards.
