Communication design for the New Dunedin Hospital Project.
As a Visual Communications Intern with the New Dunedin Hospital team, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting and impactful projects. This role allowed me to combine my love for design and communication with the important task of helping the public and staff understand and appreciate this significant development.
Communications and Visual Designer, Southern Operational Readiness Team – New Dunedin Hospital
For the past two years, I have been responsible for shaping the visual communications that support staff, stakeholders, and the wider community through the transition into the New Dunedin Hospital. This role has required a balance of creativity, technical skill, and strategic communication, delivered across multiple platforms and audiences.
I designed and delivered an extensive suite of visual tools, including illustration libraries, explainer videos, infographics, photography, and digital content, all aimed at making complex hospital processes and new models of care clear and accessible. These visuals have become a cornerstone of the project’s communication strategy, offering inclusive, culturally sensitive alternatives to traditional 3D renders, and saving significant time and cost.
I also established branding and visual guidelines that align with Health New Zealand’s national standards while giving the project its own clear identity. I developed a staff-facing SharePoint site, ensuring critical readiness information was easy to navigate, and I created tailored resources to prepare teams for new spaces, workflows, and technologies.
Externally, I managed public-facing communications, including social media progress updates, photography, and event collateral that connected the community with the build. I provided design and storytelling support for ministerial visits and high-level stakeholder engagements, strengthening trust and confidence in the project.
Collaboration has been essential, particularly my work with Aukaha and mana whenua, the cultural design partners for the hospital’s Outpatient and Inpatient buildings. These partnerships reinforced that Māori-centred design must be undertaken in genuine collaboration with iwi, ensuring integrity, authenticity, and respect.
Through these contributions, I have played a key role in bridging the gap between technical project delivery and human understanding — equipping staff for change, building community connection, and supporting one of New Zealand’s most significant health infrastructure projects.