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Design Innovation

Master of Business Innovation and Leadership (MBIL)

This programme is currently under development and subject to NZQA approval - open to expression of interest.

Guided by the principle of ‘doing it for real,’ you’ll learn by creating, experimenting, and applying your ideas in authentic and dynamic business contexts.

 

The MBIL empowers both aspiring entrepreneurs and established professionals to become bold innovators and robust leaders.

Master of Business Innovation and Leadership

Outline

You’ll build the skills, mindset, and confidence to drive and oversee creative change and business innovation, shaping the future – whether in launching your own ventures or leading within already established organisations.

Guided by the principle of ‘doing it for real,’ you’ll learn by creating, experimenting, and applying your ideas in authentic and dynamic business contexts.

Every element is focused on applied learning, ensuring you graduate with experience that’s directly relevant to the challenges of today’s business landscape.

From the outset, you’ll develop an agile, adaptable mindset by exploring risk, resilience, and the psychology of failure - learning to view setbacks as essential opportunities for growth. You’ll gain the tools to manage uncertainty, how to adapt to change, and you’ll be solving those complex problems creatively and assuredly.

You’ll master non-linear problem-solving, building on your resilience and risk tolerance - core traits for navigating the unpredictable realities of business and innovation.

Through experimentation and design thinking you’ll identify and validate new business, social, indigenous, or community-focused opportunities. You’ll also develop minimum viable products (MVPs) and learn how to meaningfully engage with investors and stakeholders.

Throughout the programme you’ll refine your critical business leadership skills: strategic thinking, effective communication, self-management, collaboration, and human-centred creativity. You’ll work on real projects, receive feedback from industry experts, and expand your professional network.

The capstone Innovation to Market project will see you validate your venture’s market potential and develop a professional business plan. You’ll know whether your idea is desirable, feasible and viable - a thorough assessment from three different angles.

Key Dates - subject to approval

November 2025 Intake

03/11/2025

 

March 2026 Intake

16/03/2026

 

July 2026 Intake

06/07/2026

 

November 2026 Intake

02/11/2026



Duration

1 Year

Three trimesters
In-person seminars with flexible distance learning

Available Locations

Auckland City Symonds Street Campus

Costs

Fees indicated are for 1st year of study.
All 2025 fees are subject to change and regulatory approval.

Domestic: $13,891+ $450 Student Service Levy

International: $36,000 + $450 Student Services Levy

Supported by world-class faculty and strong industry connections, the MBIL is your gateway to becoming a resilient, creative, and impactful business leader.

Further study options:

Graduates of this programme may progress to doctoral studies, depending on the entry requirements of the receiving programme. Master of Business Innovation and Leadership

Academic Calendar

2025 Academic Calendars

Key Student Information

NZ Government key information link for students.

Qualification

Master of Business Innovation and Leadership
NZQA Level 9 (180 Credits)

Where could this programme take you?

As an MBIL graduate, you’ll be ready to create sustainable businesses, become innovative leaders within large organisations, or drive social and community-focused enterprises. You’ll be primed to work across borders, lead in job creation and contribute economically, socially, and environmentally A global citizen. 

Start Up Founder
Social Entrepreneur
Consultant
Business Entrepreneur
Intrapreneur
Product Development Manager

Featured student work

Featured Alumni

Admission Requirements

Applicants must

  • Have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s Degree achieved with a B average in the final year or a Bachelor Honours Degree or a Postgraduate Diploma OR
  • Have been awarded a Bachelor’s Degree followed by relevant professional experience OR
  • Have demonstrated equivalent practical, professional and/or scholarly experience.

International applicants must

  • Turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
  • Have achieved prior to enrolling an IELTS academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6 or equivalent (whitecliffe.ac.nz/english-proficiency-outcome)
  • Hold a New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed to be a bachelor’s degree (NZQF Level 7)
  • Meet New Zealand visa entry requirements
    whitecliffe.ac.nz/international-students

 

Entry at the discretion of Whitecliffe

Candidates applying for entry will be required to submit evidence that they meet the entry requirements.

An interview and portfolio are not required for entry into this programme. However, applicants may be asked to provide additional information to demonstrate their strengths, readiness, and potential for success in this programme.

The CAO and Admissions Director, or their nominees, will determine if such information is necessary and will review it to assess the applicant’s readiness and ensure appropriate support for their learning journey.

The Chief Academic Officer and Director of Admissions reserve the right to refuse entry.

Faculty Members

Supported by world-class faculty and strong industry connections, the MBIL is your gateway to becoming a resilient, creative, and impactful business leader.

Rob Mills, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Rob Mills

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Rob Mills is a design thinker, educator, and creative freelancer with a Master’s degree in Digi ...

Rebecca Steedman, Programme Leader, Design Innovation, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Rebecca Steedman

Programme Leader

Design Innovation

Rebecca Steedman is a design educator, designer, and artist with over 12 years of educational exp ...

Rebecca Stokes, Becky, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, Employee, staff, Whitecliffe, Team, Member

Becky Stokes

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Becky’s experience ranges in the fields of digital media, marketing, and videography. She holds ...

Chris Chong, Lecturer (Contractor), Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Chris Chong

Lecturer (Contractor)

Design Innovation

Chris has over 36 years of commercial experience in the creative industry. Including 30 years as ...

Mark Bradford, Senior Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Dr Mark Bradford

Senior Lecturer

Design Innovation

Dr. Mark Bradford has a PhD (Business, Massey University), MFA (Intermedia, RMIT University) and ...

Roman Mitch, Lecturer, Leading Researcher, Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, membermember

Dr Roman Mitch

Lecturer / Leading Researcher

Design Innovation

Roman is an artist and full-stack developer with a long-standing involvement in the arts and cult ...

Uelese Vavae, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Design, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Uelese Vavae

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Uelese is a graduate of the Whitecliffe School of Fine Arts and is teaching the Certificate of Di ...