Our Story

Designed in Auckland

A boutique design studio helping New Zealand businesses look outstanding online — since 2006.

20yrIn Business
200+Projects Delivered
98%Client Satisfaction
NZ ownedLocal Studio
20 yr
Design career
The Person Behind the Work

Purpose-Led Design, Every Time

NuLeaf Design was founded in Cape Town in 2010 — started as a one-person studio helping small local businesses look as credible as the big ones. The philosophy was simple: great design shouldn't be reserved for companies with big budgets.

After nearly a decade in South Africa — including time sharpening skills in Johannesburg's demanding commercial market — the studio moved to Auckland in 2015 and has been helping New Zealand businesses grow ever since.

Between 2016 and 2019, I worked as Lead Front-End Developer at PB Tech, leading development of one of New Zealand's largest e-commerce platforms. That enterprise-level experience came straight back into NuLeaf — it's why our websites perform at a level most boutique studios can't match.

Today NuLeaf Design is a tight, full-focus studio. You work directly with the designer building your project — no account managers, no handoffs, no guessing games. Just clear communication and great work.

How We Work

What We Stand For

These aren't just words on a page — they're the principles that guide every project we take on.

Purpose-Led Design

Every design decision has a reason. We don't add things because they look nice — we add them because they help your business achieve its goals.

Clear Communication

No jargon, no runaround. You'll always know where your project stands and you'll always be talking to the person actually building it.

Uncompromising Quality

We'd rather do one thing properly than five things adequately. Every pixel, every line of code, every printed piece gets our full attention.

Local Knowledge

We understand the NZ market. We know what Auckland businesses need and how local customers behave online — and we design accordingly.

Performance First

Beautiful design that doesn't load quickly or rank well in search is design that doesn't work. Speed, SEO, and accessibility are built in from day one.

Long-Term Partnership

Most of our clients have been with us for years. We think of ourselves as your in-house design team — not just another vendor on a one-off brief.

Expertise

What We Do Best

Website Design & Development 95%
Brand & Graphic Design 92%
Print Design 88%
SEO Strategy 78%
E-commerce 72%
Tools & Technologies

Our Toolkit

HTML5 CSS3 JavaScript PHP MySQL Figma Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Analytics Search Console Stripe cPanel SSL & Security
Our Journey

A Career Built Across Two Continents

2006

Launched our First Website

It all started with our first ever real website release. It was for a boutique Chef company named Chefs @ Home who would provide private Chefs to high class events and private functions in South Africa.

2010

NuLeaf Design — Fish Hoek, Cape Town

Started NuLeaf Design in Fish Hoek on the Cape Peninsula, taking on local South African businesses who needed professional design without the big-agency price tag.

2011 – 2015

Seasoned in Johannesburg

Moved to Johannesburg and sharpened the craft in one of Africa's most demanding commercial markets — growing the studio's capabilities across web, brand, and print design.

2015

Relocated to Auckland, New Zealand

Made the move to Auckland, bringing a decade of design experience to the New Zealand market and re-establishing NuLeaf Design in the East of Auckland in Bucklands Beach.

2016 – 2019

Lead Front-End Developer — PB Tech

Joined PB Tech as Lead Front-End Developer, leading development of one of New Zealand's largest e-commerce platforms and managing the front-end team through a period of significant growth.

2022 - 2024

Web Hiatus - Carpenter at Hobbiton Movie Set

Decided to step away from the online world after Covid hit and went back to my other hobbies and creative outlet and joined the team at Hobbiton Movie set as a carpenter, working on nearly all aspects of the Movie Set.

2025 – Present

NuLeaf Design — Full Focus, Auckland

Relocated back to Auckland on the North Shore and returned full-time to NuLeaf Design, combining enterprise-level front-end experience with boutique studio craft — helping Auckland businesses build exceptional digital presences.

Find Us

Based in Takapuna

Studio LocationTakapuna, Auckland
North Shore, New Zealand
HoursMonday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
By appointment on weekends

Ready to Work Together?

Let's build something great for your business. Get in touch for a free consultation.

Start Your Project Call: 020 4010 7154