I'm a creative and imaginative illustrator, organisation architect (visual indexing) and graphic facilitator with over 25 years of experience working with senior leaders across government and private sectors, visualising complex issues. I have a proven track record of boosting executive collaboration and staff engagement by developing visuals that spark powerful discussions and deliver impactful outcomes. Highly driven to deliver value and impact, I work confidently both independently and with others. My unique design style has been described as refreshing, fun, energising, and memorable. I'm passionate about using my creative skills to help people succeed and love demonstrating the power of visualisation to tackle significant challenges.…I'm a creative and imaginative illustrator, organisation architect (visual indexing) and graphic facilitator with over 25 years of experience working with senior leaders across government and private sectors, visualising complex issues. I have a proven track record of boosting executive collaboration and staff engagement by developing visuals that spark powerful discussions and deliver impactful outcomes. Highly driven to deliver value and impact, I work confidently both independently and with others. My unique design style has been described as refreshing, fun, energising, and memorable. I'm passionate about using my creative skills to help people succeed and love demonstrating the power of visualisation to tackle significant challenges.WWW…
I'm a creative and imaginative illustrator, organisation architect (visual indexing) and graphic facilitator with over 25 years of experience working with senior leaders across government and private sectors, visualising complex issues. I have a proven track record of boosting executive collaboration and staff engagement by developing visuals that spark powerful discussions and deliver impactful outcomes. Highly driven to deliver value and impact, I work confidently both independently and with others. My unique design style has been described as refreshing, fun, energising, and memorable. I'm passionate about using my creative skills to help people succeed and love demonstrating the power of visualisation to tackle significant challenges.…I'm a creative and imaginative illustrator, organisation architect (visual indexing) and graphic facilitator with over 25 years of experience working with senior leaders across government and private sectors, visualising complex issues. I have a proven track record of boosting executive collaboration and staff engagement by developing visuals that spark powerful discussions and deliver impactful outcomes. Highly driven to deliver value and impact, I work confidently both independently and with others. My unique design style has been described as refreshing, fun, energising, and memorable. I'm passionate about using my creative skills to help people succeed and love demonstrating the power of visualisation to tackle significant challenges.WWWW…
Available to hire
I’m a creative and imaginative illustrator, organisation architect (visual indexing) and graphic facilitator with over 25 years of experience working with senior leaders across government and private sectors, visualising complex issues. I have a proven track record of boosting executive collaboration and staff engagement by developing visuals that spark powerful discussions and deliver impactful outcomes.
Highly driven to deliver value and impact, I work confidently both independently and with others. My unique design style has been described as refreshing, fun, energising, and memorable. I’m passionate about using my creative skills to help people succeed and love demonstrating the power of visualisation to tackle significant challenges.
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Co-owner / Creative Director at Motive8 Strategic Visuals, New Zealand (and international)
November 1, 2006 - June 5, 2024Led creative direction and visual facilitation for numerous central and local government agencies, corporates, and SMEs across New Zealand and internationally. Developed distinctive hand-drawn Big Pictures/Rich Pictures and video scribing to enable executive teams to better understand educational material, strategic plans, transformation roadmaps, business cases, and complex processes by transforming complex ideas into clear, concise, and compelling visual explanations.
Creative Director at Technical Advertising Ltd, New Zealand
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2023Enhanced communication strategies for industrial and technical clients by visualising competitive advantages through bids, proposals, capability profiles, sales collateral, and promotional tools to boost competitiveness.
Executive Infographic Artist at Singapore Straits Times, Singapore
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2001Produced daily and monthly infographics and art pieces autonomously in a high-pressure environment for a widely circulated newspaper, delivering compelling editorial visuals under tight deadlines.
Editorial Artist at The Evening Post, Wellington, NZ
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1998Created pioneering double-page infographics showcasing major construction projects to gain public interest and support. Produced large A2 posters that sold out in multiple print runs due to strong public demand.
Artist at The Correspondence School/Te Kura, Wellington, NZ
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1995Created hand and computer-drawn artwork to complement educational materials for remote learners, enhancing their learning experience.
Education
Diploma at Visual Communication Design
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1992Qualifications
NZ Editorial Artist of the Year
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999Industry Experience
Government, Education, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Other
Securing Our Future Through Trees
This piece visualises Te Uru Rākau’s long-range strategic vision — a future where trees aren’t just crops, but essential allies in Aotearoa’s journey toward sustainability, prosperity, and resilience.
⸻
The Drivers
On the left, we see the challenges we’re facing now:
• Climate change
• Erosion and biodiversity loss
• Water quality issues
• Economic pressure on landowners
These are complex, interconnected problems — and they call for smarter, long-term land use strategies.
⸻
The Vision – 2050
The top-right lays out where we’re heading:
“Reintegrating trees into the New Zealand landscape”, but not just for forestry’s sake — trees will:
• Help landowners (especially Māori) reach full sustainable potential
• Replace petroleum with wood-based bio-economy solutions
• Strengthen Aotearoa’s position as the world’s most sustainable food and fibre producer
It’s bold, practical, and future-focused — moving forestry into a central leadership role in our national sustainability journey.
⸻
Priority Shifts
At the centre of the piece are four core shifts that frame the way forward:
• Sustainability — Environmental outcomes baked into every decision
• Protection — Safeguarding whenua, people, and future generations
• Prosperity — Creating lasting value, not short-term gains
• Visible Leadership — Making Te Uru Rākau a trusted and recognised voice in the sector
These shifts are about transforming forestry from a single-industry silo into a system-wide partner — working alongside farmers, iwi, and innovators to create long-term value.
⸻
The Tone
This isn’t just about planting more trees. It’s about planting the right trees, in the right way, for the right reasons — to heal land, support people, and future-proof Aotearoa.
illustrator creativedirector…This piece visualises Te Uru Rākau’s long-range strategic vision — a future where trees aren’t just crops, but essential allies in Aotearoa’s journey toward sustainability, prosperity, and resilience.
⸻
The Drivers
On the left, we see the challenges we’re facing now:
• Climate change
• Erosion and biodiversity loss
• Water quality issues
• Economic pressure on landowners
These are complex, interconnected problems — and they call for smarter, long-term land use strategies.
⸻
The Vision – 2050
The top-right lays out where we’re heading:
“Reintegrating trees into the New Zealand landscape”, but not just for forestry’s sake — trees will:
• Help landowners (especially Māori) reach full sustainable potential
• Replace petroleum with wood-based bio-economy solutions
• Strengthen Aotearoa’s position as the world’s most sustainable food and fibre producer
It’s bold, practical, and future-focused — moving forestry into a central leadership role in our national sustainability journey.
⸻
Priority Shifts
At the centre of the piece are four core shifts that frame the way forward:
• Sustainability — Environmental outcomes baked into every decision
• Protection — Safeguarding whenua, people, and future generations
• Prosperity — Creating lasting value, not short-term gains
• Visible Leadership — Making Te Uru Rākau a trusted and recognised voice in the sector
These shifts are about transforming forestry from a single-industry silo into a system-wide partner — working alongside farmers, iwi, and innovators to create long-term value.
⸻
The Tone
This isn’t just about planting more trees. It’s about planting the right trees, in the right way, for the right reasons — to heal land, support people, and future-proof Aotearoa.
illustrator creativedirectorWW…
Optimising Today, Enabling Tomorrow
Transformation & Technology – Optimising today | Enabling tomorrow
This hand-drawn strategy piece captures the Transformation & Technology journey at Silver Fern Farms — showing how ideas become outcomes through connection, coordination, and smart use of tech.
It’s a full end-to-end flow of organisation architecture: from raw ideas through systems and insight, all the way to real-world action.
⸻
Where It Starts: The Idea Conveyor
On the left, bright ideas are pouring in — lightbulbs delivered by paper planes signifying how ideas are generated by… everyone..
But not all ideas are equal — so teams are asking the hard questions:
Is it achievable? Feasible? Viable? Desirable?
This is about filtering what could happen into what should happen.
⸻
Connecting the Ecosystem
From there, ideas move into collaborative decision-making spaces.
Different roles are shown debating things like:
• When to act
• Who needs to align
• What the scope, cost, and benefits might be
All of this is happening inside a connected digital ecosystem, anchored by shared dashboards and real-time insights.
⸻
Core Workstreams in Action
Everything is colour-coded to highlight the moving parts:
• Orange: Connecting the ecosystem
• Green: Enabling technology
• Blue: Delivering the portfolio
• Yellow: Providing data & insight
You also see:
• Leadership (Purple)
• Colleagues (Brown)
• Partners (Red)
— all working shoulder to shoulder across the map.
⸻
Tech That Powers It All
On the right, the flexible spaghetti wires plug into real-world systems:
• Operations Technology
• Corporate Applications
• Mobile Tech
• Data Centre
This is where strategy meets execution — where the digital tools actually support people to do their jobs smarter, faster, and with better results.
⸻
The Payoff
At the top right is the future vision:
A large screen celebrating shared purpose, strategy, and progress.
This is a team that’s not just solving problems — they’re actively co-creating the future of food, farming, and operations.
illustrator creativedirector…Transformation & Technology – Optimising today | Enabling tomorrow
This hand-drawn strategy piece captures the Transformation & Technology journey at Silver Fern Farms — showing how ideas become outcomes through connection, coordination, and smart use of tech.
It’s a full end-to-end flow of organisation architecture: from raw ideas through systems and insight, all the way to real-world action.
⸻
Where It Starts: The Idea Conveyor
On the left, bright ideas are pouring in — lightbulbs delivered by paper planes signifying how ideas are generated by… everyone..
But not all ideas are equal — so teams are asking the hard questions:
Is it achievable? Feasible? Viable? Desirable?
This is about filtering what could happen into what should happen.
⸻
Connecting the Ecosystem
From there, ideas move into collaborative decision-making spaces.
Different roles are shown debating things like:
• When to act
• Who needs to align
• What the scope, cost, and benefits might be
All of this is happening inside a connected digital ecosystem, anchored by shared dashboards and real-time insights.
⸻
Core Workstreams in Action
Everything is colour-coded to highlight the moving parts:
• Orange: Connecting the ecosystem
• Green: Enabling technology
• Blue: Delivering the portfolio
• Yellow: Providing data & insight
You also see:
• Leadership (Purple)
• Colleagues (Brown)
• Partners (Red)
— all working shoulder to shoulder across the map.
⸻
Tech That Powers It All
On the right, the flexible spaghetti wires plug into real-world systems:
• Operations Technology
• Corporate Applications
• Mobile Tech
• Data Centre
This is where strategy meets execution — where the digital tools actually support people to do their jobs smarter, faster, and with better results.
⸻
The Payoff
At the top right is the future vision:
A large screen celebrating shared purpose, strategy, and progress.
This is a team that’s not just solving problems — they’re actively co-creating the future of food, farming, and operations.
illustrator creativedirectorWW…
Enabling New Zealanders to Flourish
This visual maps out the Ministry of Transport’s role as the system lead for all things transport across Aotearoa. It’s a layered, interconnected story that shows how the Ministry’s foundations, functions, and leadership ripple out to improve life for real people — on roads, on rails, in the air, and out to the world.
⸻
It Starts with Foundations
At the base, we see the organisational foundations — the internal engine room:
• Ministry Governance keeps the whole organisation on course.
• People and Culture maximise capability and confidence.
• Business Systems & Processes ensure everything’s effective and humming.
This layer celebrates 50 years of mahi/work (since 1968) and lays the groundwork for today’s more complex, responsive system.
⸻
Core Functions in Action
In the midground, we hit the Ministry’s core functions — the hands-on stuff they do to drive the system forward:
• Leading direction and strategy
• Shaping regulations and stewardship mechanisms
• Evaluating agency performance
• Driving investment choices
• Influencing government and international standards
Each of these roles is shown as active, people-focused, and collaborative — not backroom policy work, but real engagement and decision-making that shapes outcomes.
⸻
Shared System Direction
At the centre, we get the big picture vision:
“The Government’s System Lead on Transport.”
This is where the Ministry sits around the same table as partners — Waka Kotahi, NZTA, Civil Aviation Authority, Maritime NZ, local government, stakeholders, and others — to create a unified, intentional approach to transport.
⸻
The Impact Zone
At the top, the vision comes to life through shared goals:
• Healthy and safe people
• Inclusive access
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic prosperity
• Resilience and security
These aren’t abstract — you can see people cycling safely, freight flowing smoothly, kids on buses, and clean-energy infrastructure coming online in a hopeful, grounded, and forward-looking way.
⸻
The Tone
Overall, this picture says:
We’ve been at this for a while — but we’re not standing still.
We’re bold, invested, and collaborative — with our eyes on the horizon and our feet on the ground.
illustrator creativedirector…This visual maps out the Ministry of Transport’s role as the system lead for all things transport across Aotearoa. It’s a layered, interconnected story that shows how the Ministry’s foundations, functions, and leadership ripple out to improve life for real people — on roads, on rails, in the air, and out to the world.
⸻
It Starts with Foundations
At the base, we see the organisational foundations — the internal engine room:
• Ministry Governance keeps the whole organisation on course.
• People and Culture maximise capability and confidence.
• Business Systems & Processes ensure everything’s effective and humming.
This layer celebrates 50 years of mahi/work (since 1968) and lays the groundwork for today’s more complex, responsive system.
⸻
Core Functions in Action
In the midground, we hit the Ministry’s core functions — the hands-on stuff they do to drive the system forward:
• Leading direction and strategy
• Shaping regulations and stewardship mechanisms
• Evaluating agency performance
• Driving investment choices
• Influencing government and international standards
Each of these roles is shown as active, people-focused, and collaborative — not backroom policy work, but real engagement and decision-making that shapes outcomes.
⸻
Shared System Direction
At the centre, we get the big picture vision:
“The Government’s System Lead on Transport.”
This is where the Ministry sits around the same table as partners — Waka Kotahi, NZTA, Civil Aviation Authority, Maritime NZ, local government, stakeholders, and others — to create a unified, intentional approach to transport.
⸻
The Impact Zone
At the top, the vision comes to life through shared goals:
• Healthy and safe people
• Inclusive access
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic prosperity
• Resilience and security
These aren’t abstract — you can see people cycling safely, freight flowing smoothly, kids on buses, and clean-energy infrastructure coming online in a hopeful, grounded, and forward-looking way.
⸻
The Tone
Overall, this picture says:
We’ve been at this for a while — but we’re not standing still.
We’re bold, invested, and collaborative — with our eyes on the horizon and our feet on the ground.
illustrator creativedirectorWW…
Improving Lives Through Science
This illustration maps out how better investment systems can lead to better outcomes for Aotearoa — starting from messy, frustrating beginnings and ending with a vibrant, future-ready science ecosystem.
It’s essentially a before-and-after story, told as a visual journey.
⸻
We Started Here
On the far left, you’ve got the drivers for change:
• Clunky systems
• Too much duplication
• A confusing tangle of processes
• Frustrated people at every step of the funding process
This is the pain point — where real people are stuck saying things like “The system isn’t intuitive” and “I’m repeating myself.”
⸻
The Journey
The visual then flows through a redesigned investment pathway — from Discovery, Design, and Delivery, through to Fund Design, Application, Assessment, Decision, and beyond.
Each phase shows how better systems, language, tools, and people create a smoother, more transparent process. Everyone involved — applicants, assessors, contract managers — ends up with more clarity and less stress. Think:
• “It’s easy to complete the forms.”
• “I understand how decisions are made.”
• “I can see where money is being invested.”
⸻
The Outcome
At the top right, we land in a bold, optimistic future:
“Improving lives through science.”
This is where everything’s working:
• Science is demonstrating benefits clearly.
• Systems are easy to work with.
• Funding is strategically invested.
• People and communities are better off.
It’s hopeful but grounded — not just a feel-good outcome, but the result of smart, human-centred reform underneath.
This again feeds into the process, continually refining and improving the overall experience.
⸻
At the Core
The base layer ties it all together:
Efficient and effective management of the science & innovation system
Driven by:
• Trusted, knowledgeable people
• Transparent, consistent processes
• Intuitive and smart ICT systems
This is the engine room — the stuff that enables everything above to function properly and serve the people it’s meant to.
illustrator businessarchitecture creativedirector…This illustration maps out how better investment systems can lead to better outcomes for Aotearoa — starting from messy, frustrating beginnings and ending with a vibrant, future-ready science ecosystem.
It’s essentially a before-and-after story, told as a visual journey.
⸻
We Started Here
On the far left, you’ve got the drivers for change:
• Clunky systems
• Too much duplication
• A confusing tangle of processes
• Frustrated people at every step of the funding process
This is the pain point — where real people are stuck saying things like “The system isn’t intuitive” and “I’m repeating myself.”
⸻
The Journey
The visual then flows through a redesigned investment pathway — from Discovery, Design, and Delivery, through to Fund Design, Application, Assessment, Decision, and beyond.
Each phase shows how better systems, language, tools, and people create a smoother, more transparent process. Everyone involved — applicants, assessors, contract managers — ends up with more clarity and less stress. Think:
• “It’s easy to complete the forms.”
• “I understand how decisions are made.”
• “I can see where money is being invested.”
⸻
The Outcome
At the top right, we land in a bold, optimistic future:
“Improving lives through science.”
This is where everything’s working:
• Science is demonstrating benefits clearly.
• Systems are easy to work with.
• Funding is strategically invested.
• People and communities are better off.
It’s hopeful but grounded — not just a feel-good outcome, but the result of smart, human-centred reform underneath.
This again feeds into the process, continually refining and improving the overall experience.
⸻
At the Core
The base layer ties it all together:
Efficient and effective management of the science & innovation system
Driven by:
• Trusted, knowledgeable people
• Transparent, consistent processes
• Intuitive and smart ICT systems
This is the engine room — the stuff that enables everything above to function properly and serve the people it’s meant to.
illustrator businessarchitecture creativedirectorWW…
Heart Health for All New Zealanders
This piece lays out the Heart Foundation’s strategic game plan for 2021–2024 — a focused, practical approach to tackling one of Aotearoa’s biggest health issues, in a way that’s people-first, equity-driven, and future-focused.
At the centre of the story is a simple but powerful mission:
“Constantly striving to improve the heart health of every New Zealander.”
From there, everything branches outward into three main pou (pillars):
⸻
People & Community
Working directly with individuals, whānau, and communities to help them live well:
• Supporting people with heart conditions to access care and live fully.
• Connecting meaningfully with whānau (family) and community.
• Improving outcomes for priority populations — equity is baked into the work, not bolted on.
• Helping people make healthy choices through tailored support and engagement.
⸻
Services & Programmes
Making sure the right support is delivered where it counts:
• Building impactful programmes with measurable results.
• Partnering with health professionals and systems to ensure world-class care.
• Turning research into action — closing the “evidence to practice” gap.
• Supporting clinical excellence with strong evidence, guidance, and tools.
⸻
Strategic Enablers
The internal stuff that keeps the machine running smoothly:
• Building a skilled, values-led team aligned to real needs.
• Using tech and tools smartly to boost efficiency and value.
• Growing support by building trust with donors and volunteers.
• Diversifying funding, managing finances well, and investing in what matters.
⸻
The Vision
At the highest level, this all ladders up to one big bold goal:
“To stop all people in New Zealand dying prematurely from heart disease — and to enable those living with it to live full lives.”
This isn’t just about a pretty picture — it’s about building a stronger, more equitable Aotearoa from the inside out.
businessarchitecture illustrator…This piece lays out the Heart Foundation’s strategic game plan for 2021–2024 — a focused, practical approach to tackling one of Aotearoa’s biggest health issues, in a way that’s people-first, equity-driven, and future-focused.
At the centre of the story is a simple but powerful mission:
“Constantly striving to improve the heart health of every New Zealander.”
From there, everything branches outward into three main pou (pillars):
⸻
People & Community
Working directly with individuals, whānau, and communities to help them live well:
• Supporting people with heart conditions to access care and live fully.
• Connecting meaningfully with whānau (family) and community.
• Improving outcomes for priority populations — equity is baked into the work, not bolted on.
• Helping people make healthy choices through tailored support and engagement.
⸻
Services & Programmes
Making sure the right support is delivered where it counts:
• Building impactful programmes with measurable results.
• Partnering with health professionals and systems to ensure world-class care.
• Turning research into action — closing the “evidence to practice” gap.
• Supporting clinical excellence with strong evidence, guidance, and tools.
⸻
Strategic Enablers
The internal stuff that keeps the machine running smoothly:
• Building a skilled, values-led team aligned to real needs.
• Using tech and tools smartly to boost efficiency and value.
• Growing support by building trust with donors and volunteers.
• Diversifying funding, managing finances well, and investing in what matters.
⸻
The Vision
At the highest level, this all ladders up to one big bold goal:
“To stop all people in New Zealand dying prematurely from heart disease — and to enable those living with it to live full lives.”
This isn’t just about a pretty picture — it’s about building a stronger, more equitable Aotearoa from the inside out.
businessarchitecture illustratorWW…
Environment Southland
The Big Picture: A Thriving Murihiku (Southland region)
This piece tells the story of Environment Southland’s 10-year vision, drawn as a strategic snapshot of what a thriving region could look like — from the whenua (land) up.
At the heart is a bold, clear aspiration:
“A Thriving Southland – Te Taurikura o Murihiku.”
Everything flows outward from there, grounded in community wellbeing, employment, and the environment — three interlinked pillars that hold the whole kaupapa (principle) up.
You’ll see simple, almost playful illustrations throughout, to keep it human — creating a strategy with a heartbeat — but each one there for a purpose.
Here’s how it breaks down:
• Communities expressing their diversity — this is about people being seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are.
• Managed access to quality natural resources — not just protecting the environment, but making sure people can interact with it in smart, sustainable ways.
• Diverse opportunities to make a living — a region where people can find good work that suits them, not just survive but thrive.
• Communities empowered and resilient — that’s people with tools, connections, and backing to face change with confidence.
And underneath all that? The foundations: Engagement. Knowledge. Connectivity. Investment.
Four drivers that are helping bring this vision to life — the bits behind the scenes that keep the whole thing ticking.
businessarchitect illustrator…The Big Picture: A Thriving Murihiku (Southland region)
This piece tells the story of Environment Southland’s 10-year vision, drawn as a strategic snapshot of what a thriving region could look like — from the whenua (land) up.
At the heart is a bold, clear aspiration:
“A Thriving Southland – Te Taurikura o Murihiku.”
Everything flows outward from there, grounded in community wellbeing, employment, and the environment — three interlinked pillars that hold the whole kaupapa (principle) up.
You’ll see simple, almost playful illustrations throughout, to keep it human — creating a strategy with a heartbeat — but each one there for a purpose.
Here’s how it breaks down:
• Communities expressing their diversity — this is about people being seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are.
• Managed access to quality natural resources — not just protecting the environment, but making sure people can interact with it in smart, sustainable ways.
• Diverse opportunities to make a living — a region where people can find good work that suits them, not just survive but thrive.
• Communities empowered and resilient — that’s people with tools, connections, and backing to face change with confidence.
And underneath all that? The foundations: Engagement. Knowledge. Connectivity. Investment.
Four drivers that are helping bring this vision to life — the bits behind the scenes that keep the whole thing ticking.
businessarchitect illustratorWW…
Why Arts & Culture matter
This piece was created to help secure ongoing funding for arts and culture in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) — at a time when the entire division was at risk of being shut down.
Rather than relying on reports or policy papers, the team needed a clear, human visual that could show decision-makers what would be lost — and why the work matters.
⸻
What It Shows
At its core, the piece paints a picture of arts and culture as essential infrastructure — not a luxury, but something that supports:
• Wellbeing (better health, self-esteem, belonging)
• Education (improved school performance and engagement)
• The economy (jobs, small business support, tourism)
• Social connection (pride, identity, inclusion, relationships)
Each benefit is shown through everyday moments — real people engaging in art, music, kai (food), community events, and cultural expression.
⸻
Why It Works
The visual hits both the head and the heart:
• It shows outcomes that align with council priorities.
• It also shows people — families, kids, kaumātua (respected elders) — living richer lives because arts and culture are part of the fabric.
This helps shift the conversation from “nice-to-have” to non-negotiable.
⸻
The Message
Arts and culture aren’t just what we do — they shape who we are.
This visual was designed to protect that, and to help ensure the mahi (work) could continue without interruption — for the benefit of all Aucklanders.
illustrator creativedirector…This piece was created to help secure ongoing funding for arts and culture in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) — at a time when the entire division was at risk of being shut down.
Rather than relying on reports or policy papers, the team needed a clear, human visual that could show decision-makers what would be lost — and why the work matters.
⸻
What It Shows
At its core, the piece paints a picture of arts and culture as essential infrastructure — not a luxury, but something that supports:
• Wellbeing (better health, self-esteem, belonging)
• Education (improved school performance and engagement)
• The economy (jobs, small business support, tourism)
• Social connection (pride, identity, inclusion, relationships)
Each benefit is shown through everyday moments — real people engaging in art, music, kai (food), community events, and cultural expression.
⸻
Why It Works
The visual hits both the head and the heart:
• It shows outcomes that align with council priorities.
• It also shows people — families, kids, kaumātua (respected elders) — living richer lives because arts and culture are part of the fabric.
This helps shift the conversation from “nice-to-have” to non-negotiable.
⸻
The Message
Arts and culture aren’t just what we do — they shape who we are.
This visual was designed to protect that, and to help ensure the mahi (work) could continue without interruption — for the benefit of all Aucklanders.
illustrator creativedirectorWW…
Hire a Creative Director
We have the best creative director experts on Twine. Hire a creative director in Gisborne today.