Background | Our Journey

  • August 2023

    Speculative Futures Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, a chapter of the global Design Futures Initiative, is launched

  • July 2024

    We run our first Futures Thinking and Strategy Transformation Masterclass with Professor Sohail Inayatullah and Dr. Ivana Milojevic

  • September 2024

    Our first online Futures Community of Practice (CoP) is held

  • Late 2024

    The Design Futures Initiative is disestablished

  • January 2025

    Speculative Futures Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland evolves into Design Futures Aotearoa

  • March 2025

    Alice Dimond and Dr. Cheryl Doig join the Design Futures Aotearoa team

How we work | Our Principles

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi by embedding the richness of Aotearoa in how we think, work, and relate

We build futures literacy through shared practice, not just theory

We centre creativity and diversity as catalysts for systems change

We choose co-creation over consultation, and collective learning over individual expertise

We lead with trust, transparency, and care in how we communicate and collaborate

Who we are | Meet the Team

CO-FOUNDER

Victoria is a builder of things - teams, strategies, services and futures - and uses strategic foresight and participatory futures tools to create more resilient and adaptive strategies, and purposeful cultures. She is the creator of the Aotearoa Futures Network Map, Co-Founder and Director of Design Futures Aotearoa. She is a member of the Global Futures Society and a regular contributor to consumer and academic publications worldwide.

CO-FOUNDER

Jade is a Designer, Facilitator, Innovator, Collaborator & Educator, and deeply passionate about Co-Designing Better Futures. Currently, Jade wears a few hats; Innovation Advisor & Facilitator at academyEX, Tech Futures Lab, Fractional Director of ThinkPlace and Co-Founder & Director of Design Futures Aotearoa.

FUTURES FELLOW
Alice (Kāi Tahu) uses social innovation and futures tools to facilitate conversations about fairer, thriving futures. Alice leads Mō Āpōpō Future-Makers at Tokona te Raki, a project that equips young people to imagine and create better futures. She is a Fellow with Next Generation Foresight Practitioners and New Zealand Lead for the Futures Methods from Around the World project, exploring how Māori ways of thinking, organising, and acting can unlock better futures.

FUTURES AUNTY

Dr Cheryl Doig is a futurist, weaver and connector, often known as the #futuresaunty. She is part of many global projects connected with intergenerational ambition and future generations.
Cheryl is co-designer of the Aotearoa Futures Barometer and the Aotearoa Futures Forum and coordinates futures networks across Ōtautahi, Aotearoa and Oceania.
Cheryl is one of 12 futurists globally to be chosen as a Friend of the Forum, supporting the design and engagement with the Dubai Future Forum.

COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

Howard blends curiosity with strategic thinking to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges. He is drawn to projects involving strategic design and interconnected systems, embracing open conversation and shared ideas.
Howard oversees our communications, community engagement, and, alongside Victoria, built and continues to maintain the Aotearoa Futures Network Map.

Futures Friends | Our Supporters