Description:


A growing disconnect between rangatahi and their cultural roots has emerged in recent decades, as urbanisation, technology, and generational shifts have reshaped how Māori identity is accessed and expressed. Traditional practices like tītī tōrea (stick games), once a common part of play and learning, are now less visible in the everyday lives of young Māori.

Tī Rākau is a reimagined, functional game installation that combines handcrafted rākau with a responsive digital portal. Inspired by the traditional Māori stick game and enhanced by modern technology, it invites players to engage in a cultural practice adapted for today. Players in different cities interact in real time, enabled by 5G, transforming the act of play into a shared digital space for cultural reconnection.

This video is a collateral created as part of Tī Rākau’s marketing campaign. The first half, animated in hand drawn cel, features a narrative that highlights the nostalgic place the original tī rākau holds in the lives of many rangatahi. The second half, animated with vector animation, emphasizes Tī Rākau’s suite of new features that bridges past to present.


Tī Rākau reconnects rangatahi with te ao Māori through an immersive, cross-city experience that feels both familiar and futuristic. It is a fully functioning prototype; not just a concept, but a tested and scalable installation. The project introduces a new form of digital placemaking, where traditional knowledge meets emerging technology to create meaningful, community-driven engagement.