A new way to engage
These days we know more about PA and Kauri in Aotearoa New Zealand, but before we better understood this pathogen, there was a sense of of fatalism around Kauri protection. Many struggled to see their place in protecting Kauri or felt like the problem was too big for them to be able to help.
Early research found that virtual reality (VR) and gamification were successful tools for creating behaviour change in environmental education. Recognising this, Waikato Regional Council(WRC) identified the potential of using VR to instil a sense of hope for the future and also promote hygiene protocols and actions which prevent the spread of infected soil.
With funding from Tiakina Kauri alongside their own, WRC led the development of Kauri Pou Kaitiaki – a VR experience, which was rolled out in June 2023.
This experience consists of three separate parts:
1. I te Ōrokohanga “In the beginning” – why we should protect Kauri
This section is about building cultural connection with te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and educating about the importance of Kauri in the ecosystem. It aims to build connection with the environment through awe.
2. Ā mohoa nei “Here & Now” – the here and now
This section revolves around the behaviour of removing dirt from your shoes and provides the opportunity to practice this real-world action. The gamification of the desired behaviours makes this engaging and fun.
3. Raurangi “Journey into the future”– building hope through a vision of the future
This section leaves the viewer with an emotional view of the future, providing hope and belief of what is possible if we protect Kauri.
Kauri Pou Kaitiaki Teaser Duration: 00:55
The rich and layered VR experience was possible due to the care put into development, which included working together in person. A mātauranga Māori advisory group and experts in ecology and design all contributed to creating this tool.
Ecologists helped ensure the forest was ecologically genuine, detailed with accurate associated species and creatures such as epiphytes, giant wētā and kōkaha (kauri grass).
The advisory group helped shape an authentic narrative rich in mātauranga and tikanga Māori concepts. In te ao Māori, Kauri and Tohorā (whales) are brothers, so the experience begins under water and then transports you to a mature Kauri forest.
The mātauranga and mahi of Pauline Clarkin (Ngāti Hako), Niketi Toataua (Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Paretekawa) and Te Maharanui Mikaere (Ngāti Pukenga ki Manaia) was essential to the end result of Kauri Pou Kaitiaki.
Since the rollout, the VR experience has been widely used across Kauri lands to help people understand how their everyday actions directly contribute to Kauri protection - transforming a complex issue into something personal, practical and achievable. The headsets have now been used across school education programmes, community group engagement, advocacy, events and multi-agency collaboration. They provide a fun way into the Kauri protection conversation, regardless of the organisation using them.
