April 15, 2021
Creativity meets tech
CREATIVITY MEETS TECH
Media Release
To listen to the full interview with Ramon Te Wake click here
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Hon Carmel Sepuloni launched a unique creative project in Tāmaki Makaurau today at the new Media Design School Campus in Wynyard Quarter.
Aho Wahine is a series of interactive bi-lingual apps that breathe new life into the traditional stories of Aotearoa, interpreting them from the point of view of the female characters.
Speaking at the launch, Hon Carmel Sepuloni said,
“Aho Wahine encapsulates for me many of the great things about the creative sector: culture and collaboration, innovation, and a spirit of sharing. The Aho Wahine initiative builds on the success of Ngā Atua Māori produced for Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori back in 2015.”
Images courtesy of Kiwa Digital
The apps have been produced by leading cultural creative agency Kiwa Digital, in collaboration with a talented group of Māori storytellers, artists, musicians, translators and narrators that includes:
– Story by Ramon Te Wake
– Te Reo Māori by Hēmi Kelly
– Artwork by Munro Te Whata and Tapuariki Brightwell
– Narration by Ruth Smith, Ani-Piki Tuari
– Music by Maree Sheehan.
Congratulating the creative team, Steven Renata Managing Director of Kiwa Digital said
“The project celebrates the resilience of the creative sector and acknowledges the powerful intersect between creative, technology and te Ao Māori.”
Images courtesy of Kiwa Digital
The project was supported by Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) through its Contestable Fund. In welcoming the launch, Chief Executive Paula Browning said
“Every year CLNZ invests in authors and publishers who are undertaking projects that will protect, support and grow the industry in Aotearoa. Publishing Aotearoa’s stories is important for our understanding of ourselves, but also allows us to send them elsewhere so that others can learn about us and so that we can generate export revenue that helps to grow our creative businesses.”
The launch was held in Media Design School’s new home – a state-of-the-art, purpose-built campus in the heart of Auckland’s thriving Wynyard Quarter. As the only education provider to have a presence in New Zealand’s Innovation Precinct, students are learning in the epicentre of NZ’s tech industry, with networking and collaboration opportunities on the doorstep.
Aho Wahine is available on the App Store and Google Play; search on Aho Wahine, or use the links on www.kiwadigital.com/showcase
Images courtesy of Kiwa Digital
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