Creative technologists: supporting ideas at Unleash Space

For Anna Haine, engineering started with her curiosity around understanding how things work. Now in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), specialising in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, that curiosity has evolved into capability. Alongside her studies, Anna works as a creative technologist in Unleash Space at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, helping bridge the gap between a creator’s vision and practical realisation.

Her interest in engineering began at school, where electronics offered a more applied way into physics.

“I liked working through problems and seeing how theory connects to real systems,” she says. “Engineering felt like a natural fit.”

That connection between theory and application continues to shape her experience. In Unleash Space, Anna works directly with students from across the University, helping them move from early ideas to practical outcomes.

“As creative technologists, we support students to bring their ideas to life,” she says. “That might be running workshops, helping someone learn a piece of equipment, or working alongside them as they develop a project.”

Anna’s relationship with the University’s Unleash Space, a dedicated maker space area, started in her first year as a user. After completing equipment training and spending time in the space, she found herself drawn in by more than just the tools.

“What kept me coming back was the environment,” she says. “There’s such a mix of people and projects, and there’s always something interesting happening. You learn a lot just by being there.”

Stepping into the creative technologist role felt like a natural progression, but it has also pushed her to grow in new ways. The role sits at the intersection of technical skill and communication, requiring both hands-on capability and the ability to support others.

“A big part of the job is learning quickly and then helping someone else understand it,” she says. “You might observe a workshop once, and then the next time you’re the one delivering it.”

More broadly, Anna sees Unleash Space as an environment that encourages a different way of thinking.

“You’re surrounded by people trying things out and experimenting,” she says. “It makes you more open to new ideas and more willing to give things a go.”

That mindset has also shaped how she engages beyond the University. As a volunteer with GirlGuiding New Zealand, Anna ran a workshop for Rangers aged 12–17, introducing them to technologies they had not encountered before.

“You could see the shift in how they saw themselves,” she says. “Some didn’t think they were ‘STEM people’, and then suddenly they were building and experimenting. It changes what they think is possible.”

Moments like this reflect the wider impact of spaces like Unleash, where access and support help build both skills and confidence. It is also, as Anna points out, an environment people genuinely enjoy being part of.

“We joke that we’re being paid to play with the fun tools,” she says. “But it does say something about the culture. People want to be here.”

As she prepares to graduate later this year and step into a role at Jacobs in their Earthing and Electromagnetic Studies team, Anna reflects on how her time with the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has shaped her outlook.

“It’s made innovation feel more accessible,” she says. “You don’t need to have everything figured out. It’s about being curious, taking a first step, and knowing there are people around you who can help.”