Dr Johnson Witehira (Tamahaki,Hinekura, Ngai Tū Te Auru) is a leading indigenous artist, designer and researcher. His design projects consider how customary Māori knowledge and ways of thinking can be applied in contemporary settings. His creative works extend across designed communications, digital, interiors, urban design, product design and public artworks. He is co-creative director at Indigenous Design and Innovation Aotearoa (IDIA),where he applies his design expertise to work with businesses, community groups, and government agencies. Within academia Witehira’s research focuses on decolonizing design education. He is at the forefront of developing bi-cultural and Māori responses to teaching art and design in Aotearoa.