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 creates an intuitive, social, and future-facing way for rangatahi to engage with one another and te ao Māori. The idea draws on nostalgic childhood memories, raranga, the geometric forms of tāniko weaving, and the Māori values of whanaungatanga (connection) and tākaro (play). It merges handcrafted tradition with digital responsiveness to create an experience that is interactive, accessible, and deeply meaningful.


Tī Rākau is part of a fully realised campaign that included an animated explainer video, cohesive visual identity, crafted print collateral, and a comprehensive digital rollout strategy. The triangular motif, drawn from tāniko, guided the design language across both digital and physical touchpoints. The bright-tipped rākau sticks became a distinctive and memorable entry point to the experience.

The installation blends woven-inspired, minimal forms with custom-built technology integrating sound, light, gameplay logic, and a user-friendly game interface. Real-time interaction over 5G creates an immediate sense of connection between users across cities. Every visual and experiential detail was designed to appeal to a young audience without sacrificing cultural depth or integrity.


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.

It has wide potential across cultural, educational, and public settings—where play and cultural discovery honour whakapapa and spark curiosity. Tī Rākau is more than a campaign: it is a dynamic, community-centered experience that honours tikanga and inspires the next generation of rangatahi into technology.