In collaboration with David Hakaraia, we transformed Te Papa into a breathtakingly modern depiction of traditional Māori arts and storytelling with the magic of projection mapping.

Alongside our in-house Specialist, I set out to create an unforgettable experience to honor Matariki, marking the first year it was officially recognized as a national holiday. We knew this project had to be a true celebration of Te Ao Māori.

With the Toi provided by David Hakaraia, my role was to bring his work to life—adding motion and crafting digital patterns that infused his designs with energy and excitement. Traditionally, Toi Māori is a static art form, so this was a unique challenge. Taking a deeply Te Ao Māori approach, I meticulously reconstructed each pattern in digital software, animating every koru with the mana it deserves, creating mesmerizing, tessellating designs.

This was an incredible opportunity to contribute to the first official celebration of Matariki. I’m honored to have played a part in sharing the vibrancy of Te Ao Māori with the world.