Fresh From The Field: Ātea Nuku Paihia — By Method
Take a journey through time and space with Ātea Nuku Paihia, an innovative and engaging way to discover and experience the rich heritage of Paihia, brought to you by Method.
Fresh from the Field is a weekly article series sharing fresh and inspiring work from the Design Assembly community. Want to submit your work to Fresh From The Field? Fill out the form here.
The brief
The purpose of this project is to provide an innovative and engaging historical interpretation opportunity that will enable both visitors to Paihia, and those remaining further afield, to discover and experience the embedded but rich heritage of the place; ‘digging beneath the surface’ to reveal the early history of Māori who have lived in this rohe for centuries, and who, as mana whenua, in turn lived and worked with the CMS missionaries at Paihia and gave them their protection.
As a legacy project at their 100th reunion, members of the Williams family (descended from Henry Williams and his brother William who joined Henry at the Mission in 1826), contributed to the building of St Paul’s Church, which is a Heritage New Zealand listed building of significant merit, and located within the former CMS mission site at Paihia.
100 years on, the Paihia Legacy Society wished to create and leave another such legacy as a collaboration between members of the Williams Family, mana whenua, and local community representatives, through illustrating and celebrating the profound relationships of trust and mutual respect forged from 1823 between those missionaries and local Māori in this setting, without which Te Tiriti o Waitangi may never have been agreed to and signed in 1840.
The Design Response
When Method, a creative technology studio, embarked on the Ātea Nuku Paihia heritage trail project, they knew they were creating something that would transform how visitors experience Paihia’s rich history. Their primary challenge was to ensure the depth and significance of each story shared by iwi and mana whenua was honoured, while making them accessible and engaging for visitors to the region.
The collaborative process with local iwi was fundamental to the project’s success. While Method brought their storytelling vision and technical expertise to the table, the heart of the experience lay in the stories shared by mana whenua and the Williams family. They worked closely together to determine how best to present each narrative, recognising that different stories called for different ways of telling.
One of Method’s most significant breakthroughs came from this careful consideration of storytelling formats. Some stories proved more powerful when delivered through animation and audio, allowing the oral tradition to shine through. Finding the right voice to share these stories was crucial – Kawiti Waetford brought a warm and friendly presence to the narration that helped make these historical accounts feel immediate and personal. Others came to life through augmented reality, enabling visitors to see glimpses of how life once was in this historic town – whales out in the water or waka arriving to shore. The 360-degree video experiences created particularly impactful moments, bringing visitors inside the marae to witness a special pou and experience the power of a powhiri.
The development process presented its own set of challenges, particularly in creating an app that felt natural and intuitive while honouring both te reo Māori and English. Method wanted every interaction to feel seamless, allowing visitors to focus on the stories themselves rather than how they were accessing them. Method also wanted to create a playful and fun experience. Scanning and unlocking content by using the signs themselves created a unique, gamified way of experiencing these rich, varied stories.
The journey of discovery was intensive and rewarding. Method spent countless hours listening to oral histories, poring over historical texts and photographs, and workshopping with both the Williams family and iwi to uncover the most compelling stories. Through this deep dive into history, they were able to match each narrative with the perfect storytelling medium for the app.
Looking back, what made this project particularly interesting was how it brought together different ways of storytelling. The heritage trail wasn’t just about presenting historical information; it was about creating meaningful connections between people and place, past and present. Each story found its perfect medium, whether through spoken word, visual elements, or interactive experiences, ensuring these important narratives would resonate with visitors for years to come.
The Design Team
Sam Ramlu – Creative Director, UX, Strategy, Producer
Mark Easterbrook – Writer
Ngati Kawa Taituha – Storyteller
Sophie Douglas – Designer
Mitch Duncan – Developer
Lahiru De Silva – Animation
Flavia Da Silva – Producer
Kawiti Waetford – VO and Translations
Scott Pearson, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White, Becca O’Shea – illustrations
Merv Pinny – Audio Record
https://www.method.digital/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/469849/
The Client Team
Fresh from the Field is a weekly article series sharing fresh and inspiring work from the Design Assembly community. Want to submit your work to Fresh From The Field? Fill out the form here.
