Ka kite Kaan

Kaan Hiini heading to Parsons, New York 

After nearly 14 years leading design and social change at Curative, Kaan Hiini is leaving the shores of Aotearoa to undertake a Masters in Fine Arts in Transdisciplinary Design at Parsons School of Design in New York. 

Kaan’s study seeks to extend the professional thinking emanating from our work at Curative and combine it with current and emerging research into indigenous knowledge systems in North America. 

Through his studies, Kaan aims to build a base of research to better understand how indigenous worldviews from North America and Aotearoa New Zealand might reshape our understanding of indigenous design, and ultimately contribute to a shift in process that enables more equitable and impactful participatory design processes for the benefit of communities in both countries.

Kaan says of his move; “Having worked at Curative for more than a decade, I’ve had the opportunity to grow my own knowledge, practice and relationship with Te Ao Māori, tikanga, pūrākau and more. It’s shaped and strengthened me as a designer and a leader, and by extension also informed how we work at Curative. I’m proud of everything that we’ve achieved, and I want to extend my own knowledge further, but also ensure that it’s contributing to a growing ecosystem of indigenous designers and storytellers”.

“Kaan’s own journey and relationship with his Māoritanga has deeply inspired and informed everything that we do at Curative”

Managing Director Eddy Royal is supportive of the move saying: “Kaan’s own journey and relationship with his Māoritanga has deeply inspired and informed everything that we do at Curative, and we’ll miss having him here. But, he’s also been a leader in our wider design industry and an advocate for more indigenous voices in our sector. This feels like the perfect way for him to extend his leadership, building a knowledge base that will support the elevation and celebration indigenous design, and that will truly serve the community. I couldn’t be prouder of him, his journey and the generosity with which he is undertaking his studies, and I look forward to continuing to support him and learn from him – even if it will now be from afar”.

Kaan will be leaving for New York in mid-August, and plans to study for two years.