5 minutes with Kahira Shepherd

Ahead of Autumn Conversations: Design & Discovery in Pōneke on 1 May, we sat down with one of our featured speakers, Kahira Shepherd. Register for your ticket to attend the event here.

This season we’re discussing what happens when you have the freedom to play, make and discover without client or commercial boundaries. Our speakers will share the stories behind their side projects, hobbies or community involvement that have led them to transformative discoveries.

Join us at the 2025 Design Assembly Autumn Conversations events taking place across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Kia ora Kahira. Can you share a bit about your background and your day job?

Every day, I feel so lucky to be able to design and create for a living. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work as a graphic designer in different fields, including at tertiary institutions, as an in-house designer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, designer for a small Māori creative agency, and I kicked off my career in the print and signage supply industry. Each of these roles has influenced the way I approach my work, and I always make sure to bring a Te Ao Māori perspective to everything I do. Right now, I’m part of the creative team at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University, where I get to apply all that experience to the projects I work on. I also run a small design business called Toi Kahira.

What role does curiosity play in your creative process, and how do you cultivate it when there are no external constraints?

As a Māori creative, my connection to my whakapapa (ancestry) is at the heart of every project I work on. I believe that curiosity and creativity can be drawn from so many different sources such as the taiao (natural world), something you’ve read, or even a lyric from a song. Each of these elements can inspire new ideas and designs. It’s essential for me to acknowledge the narrative in each of my projects, as it not only reflects my personal journey but also honours the cultural stories that shape our world.

I also recognise that not everyone fully understands or can relate to Toi Māori (Māori art). However, I believe that finding ways to build a relationship with these concepts can help overcome constraints and uncertainty, both in the creative process and in communicating the meaning behind the work. My designs aim to bridge that gap, creating a deeper connection between my culture and the broader world.

Have you discovered any personal values or design principles through play and exploration that now guide your professional work?

Through play and exploration, I’ve discovered that my connection to my whakapapa and Te Ao Māori has become a core guiding force in my creative values. It has shifted my approach from creating simply for aesthetic appeal to designing with a deeper connection and meaning for the viewer. The use of our Māori symbols and traditional patterns is something I approach with great respect, ensuring they’re applied correctly and thoughtfully. For me, simple design principles reveal themselves in the way we consider the cropping of figures or heads, the integration of text with the content, and how the overall design communicates the story. Each element plays a role in ensuring the narrative is conveyed in a meaningful and respectful way.

If you could remove all limitations—time, budget, expectations—what would be the next thing you’d create purely for yourself or the world or a community?

If there were no limitations—time, budget, or expectations—I’d love to create an exhibition, maybe an outdoor or light installation, focused on our atua wahine (female deities). There are so many narratives to tell and share with the wider community, and by sharing a little bit of these stories, we can potentially connect the audience to these atua or creations that aren’t always recognised. It would be a way to bring these powerful figures and their natural elements to life in a meaningful and immersive way. It would be free of charge and someway interactive to make it fun for all ages.

Ahead of the Autumn Conversations Pōneke event coming up on 1 May, can you give us a teaser into the project/topic you’ll be presenting?

I’ve got a few exciting things on the go right now! One project I’m super passionate about is an ongoing series of digital illustrations featuring our Māori atua wāhine (female deities). Alongside that, I’m working on some Māori-inspired home décor, including wallpaper and backsplashes. My goal is to bring Māori art into people’s homes in a way that’s effortless, fun, and modern, but still meaningful. It’s all about sharing a little bit of narrative in people’s spaces, turning it into a contemporary piece that anyone can connect with and appreciate!

Lastly, what’s the best way for folks to see more of your work and connect with you?

To see more of my work, you can visit the Toi Kahira website or connect with me on my social media pages. Just search ‘Toi Kahira’ and you’ll find me! 🙂