Nicole Vaughan
December 3, 2023

Dan heads to Aotearoa, NZ

Spatial Media’s Dan Cain will be turning his G’days into Kia oras as he heads home to New Zealand, after almost 20- years of travel supporting projects in the UK, Australia and more.

Spatial Media’s Dan Cain will be turning his G’days into Kia oras as he heads home to New Zealand, after almost 20- years of travel supporting projects in the UK, Australia and more. But don’t worry, Aussie friends, Dan will still be racking up the air miles crossing the ditch as he leads our Australian team and spearheads our growth in NZ.

We recently sat down with Dan to chat about his roots in New Zealand after nearly two decades abroad. Dan shared his enthusiasm for the move, the projects he's looking forward to, and how he plans to contribute to New Zealand's development through his role at Spatial Media.

What excites you most about moving back to New Zealand after so many years?

Dan Cain: It's a mix of personal and professional excitement. Personally, after almost 20 years, I'm returning home with a wealth of experiences. I left New Zealand with just a backpack and a board bag, and now I'm coming back with a family and a treasure trove of memories. Professionally, I'm thrilled to contribute to the New Zealand community, leveraging the flexibility and support Spatial Media provides. The outdoor lifestyle, particularly mountain biking and snowboarding, is something I'm eagerly anticipating.

How do you plan to support New Zealand's projects and clients?

Dan Cain: New Zealand is not just a place I'm returning to; it's my home. I'm deeply invested in supporting projects that will enhance our communities, benefiting future generations, including my own kids. My physical presence in New Zealand will allow for better accessibility to clients and projects. I'm also excited to introduce some of the innovative digital solutions we've developed in Australia to the New Zealand market.

Are there any specific projects in New Zealand that you're particularly excited about?

Dan Cain: Absolutely! I have a passion for airports, so seeing the Auckland and Christchurch Airport masterplans come to life is thrilling. My background in environmental engineering has always drawn me to renewable energy projects. I'm looking forward to seeing the development of offshore wind projects and the new mega hydro scheme in New Zealand. Additionally, having experienced Melbourne's efficient public transport system, I'm eager to see similar advancements, like light rail and airport rail connections, materialise in Auckland.

Dan's journey is a testament to the dynamic nature of global careers and our approach at Spatial Media to support our team, wherever they want to live and work. Stay tuned as we follow Dan's journey and the exciting developments he brings to Spatial Media and New Zealand.

If Dan’s story has made you think about your career and the opportunities to be part of our team, visit, https://spatialmedia.io/careers to learn more.

from our clients

Spatial are my go-to for solutions

Spatial are my go-to for solutions nobody has dreamy up yet! They have an incredible knack for combining tomorrows tech solutions with creativity, intuitive UX and analytics. The results are engaging interfaces that are impactful and ultimately bridge the gap between project and stakeholders.
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Kate kernaghan, company director, factotum communications

The innovative 3D products and interactive spatial consultation tools developed by the team set a new benchmark

Spatial Media Team played a pivotal role in delivering a range of multi-million-dollar public realm projects, including cycle paths, road and intersection upgrades, and active reserve improvements. Their ability to produce highly detailed and realistic renders, actively participate in workshops, and rapidly refine designs (even with minimal background information) was exceptional. The level of professionalism and attention to detail they provided to the council as the client was truly outstanding. I have already recommended their services to colleagues across the State and look forward to future collaborations. The innovative 3D products and interactive spatial consultation tools developed by the team set a new benchmark for community engagement and project delivery. I would strongly encourage integrating this approach into future projects to enhance clarity, mitigate risks, and build greater confidence among all stakeholders.
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WA Local Government Project Director

Including the Spatial Media team shows you mean business when it comes it engagement

Spatial Media are a perfect project partner. Their innovation and quality of their work is exceptional. The digital engagement assets they create are not only visually stunning but also highly effective in communicating our vision to our stakeholders. The attention to detail and dedication to excellence is consistent across every project. Embedding them in our projects has brought numerous benefits and we constantly look at ways we can integrate them and their work across all project teams. Their expertise in creating interactive engagement portals, 3D renders, animations, and modelling has greatly enhanced our ability to engage with our stakeholders. Their innovative approach and tools have added significant value to the engagement offering that John Holland have. Including the Spatial Media team shows you mean business when it comes it engagement. The professionalism and responsiveness are unmatched and the quality of work prove time and time again why they are the best in the business.
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Vesna Newman

Enhancing and innovating communication for Melbourne Airport

Spatial Media is an excellent partner and we’ve been impressed by the work the team has produced for Melbourne Airport to help inform our travellers and community about our terminal upgrades and new runway. They are great to deal with and deliver a polished product with creative thinking and a can-do attitude.
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Andrew Lund, Head of Media and Communications, Melbourne Airport

Airside Driving Simulator an important part of the training program

It can be storming outside. It could be night time. Any time of the day or night we can create these simulations. It’s very flexible.
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Niel Young, Training Coordinator, Brisbane Airport

From day one, Spatial Media grasped exactly what we needed

From day one, Spatial Media grasped exactly what we needed: a simple, interactive way for our community to stay up to date on local works. Their team was easy to work with, highly responsive, and open to every adjustment we requested. The end result exceeded our expectations.
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Chris Ashton, Lismore City Council

They were committed to accuracy and no ask was too hard

Spatial Media understood our brief to a tee and delivered a high quality animation and renders to bring our project to life for the community. Despite a short timeframe, we were given multiple opportunities to provide feedback and suggest changes, all of which were easily understood and promptly actioned. Isaac and the team were flexible, responsive and hit every deadline. They were committed to accuracy and no ask was too hard. The end product will be a centrepiece for communicating our project to the public.
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Emily Hou and Juliana Yu, Landcom