Air New Zealand and National Geographic embarked on an ambitious interactive project to celebrate Matariki, support Te ao Māori, and champion the use of Te reo Māori through storytelling. The project aimed to blend Maori cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology to create an immersive educational experience.
The primary intention was to offer an engaging, educational experience that honors Matariki and promotes understanding of Te ao Māori – the Māori world view – through a blend of traditional storytelling and modern technology.
Leveraging the Magic Leap mixed reality headset, we created a virtual experience where customers were transported onto a waka rererangi (canoe in the sky). This experience allowed users to fly through the realms of the guardians and into the sky, learning about Matariki without leaving the room.
To ensure cultural integrity, we crafted a 7-meter long carved Waka and a window, created by carvers at New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts, as full-scale 3D digital replicas. The project also featured digital replicas, film, and narration by our lead storyteller, Joe Harawira, who was recreated digitally using facial motion capture and photogrammetry. His gestures and storytelling style were carefully curated to maintain authenticity.
Users interacted with the Matariki star constellation by physically gesturing to throw stars into the sky. This interaction was a nod to the story of Matariki, connecting participants to the cultural significance of the constellation.
Considering the rarity and expense of Magic Leap headsets, we also developed versions for the Quest Pro and Quest 2, expanding the reach of the experience. This adaptation was crucial in making the experience more accessible to a wider audience.
The experience was showcased at key events across New Zealand during the Matariki festival, drawing queues of people eager to engage with the experience. This project not only served as an educational tool but also as a bridge connecting people to Māori culture and traditions.
This project for Air New Zealand stands as a beacon of how technology can be used to preserve and promote cultural heritage, offering a unique and immersive way to experience and understand the Matariki and Te ao Māori.
