Faculty

Rachel Smith-Robb

BDes Int Arch and Design, BA Art History, Dip Tch Primary

Rachel's role has been instrumental in re-shaping and updating the NCSID. She has worked with tutors and consultants to review the eight modules, upholding Nanette's core vales and vision for the school.

Rachel has a background in interior design and project management, working in both residential and commercial. She has practised around the world, in Rome, London, Melbourne, and Auckland.

Rachel has a passion to see students connect the dots and bring new appreciation and beauty to the spaces around them.

Grace Wright

MFA, BFA(Hons), A.T.C.L

Grace is a practising artist with a background in Fine Arts. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts and has held multiple exhibitions in New Zealand, Australia and more recently Asia. She is represented by Gow Langsford Gallery in New Zealand and Ames Yavuz Gallery in Sydney and Singapore.

Wright’s paintings are a reflection of her world view, her coiling brush marks echoing the ‘rhythmic, cyclical nature’ she identifies as universal forms in the natural world. Wright marries alluring, harmonious colour with visceral imagery to elevate the feminine to monumental standing. Using scale to her advantage, her paintings engulf the viewer, exuding traditionally masculine virtues of power and strength (Gow Langsford Gallery)

Victoria Gaylard

BHSc, NZ Diploma in Kitchen Design

With a keen interest in interior design, Victoria began the NCSID course as a student in 2018, where she soon discovered her passion for spatial planning and SketchUp, along with an understanding of how great design can transform lives.

In 2022, Victoria set up Victoria Gaylard Design – an interior design studio specialising in bespoke kitchen, bathroom and cabinetry design. Victoria completed the NZ Diploma in Kitchen Design in 2024 and is a Gold member of the Designers of the NKBA and a member of the Nanette Cameron Interior Design Guild.

At NCSID, Victoria teaches the Kitchen, Bathroom, Technical Drawing, and SketchUp modules. She understands that effective design is about understanding how people live. She is dedicated to guiding students through spatial planning, cabinetry design, and finish selection, enabling them to realise their design visions. Victoria believes in the transformative power of thoughtful design and is committed to equipping students with the skills to create meaningful spaces.

Linda Tyler

PhD, MA (Hons)

Associate Professor of the University of Auckland, Linda Tyler has taught art and design history at Canterbury, Victoria, Waikato and Auckland universities. She currently teaches art writing and curatorial practice at Honours level in the University of Auckland's Art History Department, and supervises student research in the university’s Museums and Cultural Heritage programme.