2026 Hot New Things: Kelys Witty, Auckland University of Technology
Design Assembly profiles a selection of the top graduates from the best Art and Design Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. We welcome these talented emerging professionals to our industry, learn about their passions, final projects, developing creative confidence and ambitions for the future.
Today we speak with Kelys Witty who recently graduated from the Communication design at Auckland University of Technology. Find out more about tertiary study options across Aotearoa New Zealand on our Design Schools page.
Tell us a bit about yourself
Kia ora, I’m Kelys. I’ve just graduated with a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Communication Design at AUT. I have Māori whakapapa, and a big part of my practice comes from wanting to deepen my connection to culture in my own way. Design became a space where I could explore that, a place to learn, reflect, and weave tikanga and identity into the way I think about design. Over time it became where I connect the dots between who I am, where I come from, and what I care about. It has helped me grow into my own voice and build a design approach that feels honest to me.
What was the focus of your graduating project?
My final project, Data is Taonga, explores Māori data sovereignty and the idea that our data is an extension of the self. It carries our mana, wairua, and whakapapa. I wanted to challenge the way Western systems treat data as neutral, extractable, and separate from the people it comes from. Instead, the project frames data as living knowledge that deserves care.
The work looks at how tikanga can guide the way data is organised, accessed, and understood. Treating data as taonga means it must be protected, respected, and cared for under tikanga. Concepts like tapu and noa shaped how different types of data are held and accessed, while whakapapa and kaitiakitanga informed how information stays connected to its origins and relationships. The goal was to design an outcome that felt culturally accountable, and grounded in Māori values.
The project brings together research and visual exploration to make these ideas accessible, encouraging people to rethink how Māori data should be held and governed. Data is Taonga ultimately asks how communication design can support Māori authority over knowledge.
What did you choose to study Communication design at Auckland University of Technology?
I chose AUT because it felt like a good balance of practical learning and creative freedom. I didn’t have everything figured out when I started. I just knew I wanted to study design and the Communication Design programme let me try different areas and slowly figure out the direction that felt right.
There was also a lot of support throughout the degree. The studio culture is open, the lecturers are supportive, and we had good chances to connect with industry through guest speakers, portfolio sessions, and critique days, Those moments were very valuable. AUT just felt like the place where I could learn, try things out, and grow my direction naturally.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
What I enjoyed most was finally getting the chance to do my Capstone. It was the first time I had complete freedom to build something from scratch and commit to a kaupapa I genuinely cared about. It was a bit overwhelming at the start, but it quickly became the part of the degree that tied everything together. Having the space to dive deep into research, explore tikanga in detail, and shape a project on my own terms was really rewarding.
I also liked being able to take on a topic that was bigger than anything I had worked with before. Māori data sovereignty isn’t a small subject, and getting the time to read, reflect, and actually understand the layers behind it made the project feel meaningful. It pushed me to work in a more thoughtful, intentional way, which was something I hadn’t experienced in earlier papers. Capstone was the first time I could bring all of that together and let the work grow into something with real purpose. It was challenging, but in a good way, and definitely the highlight of my degree.
What was your biggest challenge while studying?
One of the biggest challenges was managing the scale of the kaupapa I took on. Once I committed to Māori data sovereignty, the research expanded really quickly, and it was challenging to keep the research and design moving at the same time. There were points where it felt overwhelming trying to understand the topic properly without losing momentum. Learning how to break things down, prioritise what mattered, and translate cultural concepts into practical design choices took time. But working through that challenge taught me how to approach big subjects in a more focused and intentional way.
Who (or what) inspired you to pick design as a career path?
I grew up around a lot of creativity in my whānau, especially from my mum, who was incredibly artistic. Being around that shaped the way I see things, and I was always drawn to aesthetics and interesting design. Over time it just became clear that design was the path I wanted to explore.
What is next for you?
What’s next for me is finding work where I can keep exploring design and culture in a way that feels meaningful. I want to be part of projects that have depth and are guided by strong kaupapa and research. I’m especially interested in work that supports Māori communities or aligns with Indigenous values, because that’s where I feel most connected and motivated.
I’m looking forward to getting more industry experience and seeing how different studios approach cultural and research-led design. I’m open to a few different paths, but I know I want to work in spaces where the mahi feels intentional and grounded. Long term, I hope to keep building a practice that contributes to culturally aligned design in Aotearoa.
Where can we see more of your work?
Portfolio – https://kelymidesign.cargo.site/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kelymi.design
Email – Kelyswitty@gmail.com
Phone – 021 994 625
