Skip to Main Content

Content

Course Tabs

Overview

Course Prescription

An introduction to cultural narratives of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the role that contemporary design is playing as a participatory method for community-led change, both from bottom-up and institutional perspectives. Students will explore design as a practice for facilitating self-determination, and learn ways to enable genuine, respectful partnerships in order to tackle complex local and global challenges.

Course Overview

This course invites you to explore the cultural narratives of Aotearoa and to consider how contemporary design, values, Tikanga, and Do-Design can work together to create meaningful, community-driven outcomes aligned with collective and whaanau aspirations.

In recent years, government and social institutions have critically explored design as a promising practice for facilitating self-determination. Co-Design allows new ways of thinking to be expressed, enabling genuine connections that foster the necessary collaboration to deal with complex challenges. As an example, “Maaori co-design” or tikanga-led design explores how kaupapa Maaori approaches can be used to address challenges that affect communities and particularly Maaori communities.

Students will learn to design from a culturally respectful perspective, developing a deeper understanding of the historical relationship between Tangata Tiriti and Tangata Whenua, celebrating what is unique about the people and the place in which this university is embedded. The topics discussed will help students build a shared understanding of Maaori heritage, worldview, whakapapa (interconnectedness), values, stories, and current challenges, alongside narratives and design approaches from Oceanic peoples and those from further afield so we can explore and experience authentic intercultural practices.

Students will also learn collaborative design methods as a respectful approach when working with local communities. This paper emphasises the importance of local knowledge and positioning whaanau and/or community groups at the centre of projects. Students will learn to develop empathetic listening, collaboration, understanding of power dynamics, and facilitating safe spaces for others; the ability to test and fail forward in order to improve and co-develop solutions. Moreover, students will be encouraged to practice tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), explore their uniqueness, and positionality and develop their own decolonising design methods due to these inspiring narratives.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 12.5 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours in class lecture and studio contact time, a 1-hour workshop, 1hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 7.5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Prerequisite

Locations and Semesters Offered

Location
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at every class. Lectures and other learning activities (including studio tutorials) will be available as recordings. The course will include online announcements and panui which students need to keep up to date with. Attendance on campus is required for all the assignment presentations.

Teaching and Learning Methods

This course will be delivered over 12 weeks in a design studio. Each week there will be a 3-hour lecture+tutorial combination that will vary depending on the specific theme taught. Classes will include guest lecturers, korero, and feedback sessions. 
Aotearoa Narratives are structured into 4 stages, each assessed through individual and group work.
Assignment 1: The first stage will present an introduction to the main themes and concepts related to the history of Aotearoa, maatauranga Maaori, and connection to whenua 'this place' - Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, New Zealand.  Students will explore and reflect on their own value systems, positionality and how this relates to individual actions and community, they will learn to visually represent these systems using adequate aesthetics.
Assignment 2: In the second stage, students will go through a co-design journey of workshop, planning and collaboration. Within this process, students will approach a community challenge to understand their role as facilitators of self-determined change. In groups, they will explore these methods by shifting power dynamics in the studio sessions and being the facilitators of a workshop setting. 
Assignment 3 and 4: In the third phase - for the last assignment there are two parts, students will refine and deliver an individual prototype of their project as well as create a journey map that captures the learning journey from assignment 2 to the final prototype including the reflections of collaboration and group work using appropriate design methodology.
Students are expected to attend every week as each session has been designed to equip students with the necessary skills to complete all assessment activities to receive a passing grade. A thoughtful and active engagement in group work and feedback sessions will contribute to achieving a higher than passing grade. 

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

BYOD - All students enrolled in a Bachelor of Design or Design conjoint degree should come to class with their own laptop or tablet with design software like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or other co-design tools. The specifications for a laptop are listed here.

Students also typically need a mix of physical and digital materials to engage with hands-on design processes and collaboration. These include:

  • Sketchbooks and notebooks for brainstorming, ideation, and sketching ideas.
  • Pens, pencils, markers, and other drawing tools for creating visual representations and quick prototypes.
  • Post-it notes and paper for group work, especially during workshops or collaborative sessions.
  • Basic prototyping materials such as cardboard, tape, scissors, and glue, for creating tangible models or mockups.
  • Access to shared digital platforms for collaborative work and project management.

These materials support co-design's collaborative, iterative nature, enabling creativity in the design process. 

Part of this course may require additional resources such as printing posters and prototyping. This may include specialised materials, tooling, hardware, or software in the fab lab. Where possible the programme will supply these items to students at cost price through the Creative store, however, students also need to be prepared to source these items at their own expense.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Health and Safety

Students are given an overview of health, safety, and wellness policies and procedures during the first week of their first year. Concerns should first be addressed with a Course Director/Coordinator, technician, lecturer, or tutor. Further information and incident report forms are available on the University website.

Students must complete induction training before accessing the Design Lab to ensure safety and competence. Only authorised access is allowed, and students may not permit entry to visitors. Equipment use is restricted to those who have received proper training, and workspaces should be kept clean with tools properly stored and shut down after use. Eating, drinking anything other than bottled water, and inappropriate attire, such as open footwear, are not permitted, and personal protective equipment may be required.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Additional Information on Academic integrity

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL.E 2, may only be used in assessments approved by the Course Director/Course Coordinator. Without permission, students must complete assessments independently, without substantial assistance from AI tools. In approved assessments, students must include a written statement detailing any tool’s use and the prompts applied.

Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

The grade of DNC (did not complete) is assigned a grade point value of zero and is used when a student fails to complete compulsory coursework despite earning over 50%, or when coursework is incomplete and a fail grade would misrepresent their achievement.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

We will bring content from readings into our online discussions.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Additional Information on Class Representatives

A class representative prioritises values to foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Key attributes include embodying respect and integrity, demonstrating cultural awareness, and possessing strong communication skills as a class leader. They should be approachable and responsive to classmates' needs, advocating for diverse perspectives and communicating with teachers. By embracing these qualities, a class representative can create a collaborative atmosphere that reflects the aspirations of all students and develop valuable rangatiratanga and leadership skills.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor. Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Additonal Information on Special Circumstances

Where a student faces unavoidable personal circumstances (e.g. illness or a death in the family) that mean the student is unable to submit a component of coursework, they may apply for an extension. Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the online Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas.

Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted, where this is reasonable, within the context of the course. If possible, students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources.

No extensions will be granted for problems such as accidentally erased computer files, which should always be prevented by keeping backup copies.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.