May 17, 2018
Mataatua Wharenui gets virtual life
Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi is today showcasing what can be done with virtual reality technology.
The demonstration featuring the Mataatua wharenui and local storyteller Joe Harawira has taken a year to develop in a collaboration between the wananga’s Tech Pa unit and augmented reality company Wrestler Inc.
Research and innovation director Te Kani Kingi says they want to encourage Maori not only to use the technology to tell their stories, and also to engage with the idea of technology.
"We hope that by allowing our rangatahi to see a link between modern technology and te ao Maori it will provide a pathway for them so they can engage in these high tech industries, these high earning industries, and so they can see themselves as a part of that," he says.
Professor Kingi says the Mataatua Marae Virtual Reality Experience will be officially launched as a tourism product later in the year.
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