Outdoors photo of middle-aged woman holding a mobile tablet up for a middle-aged man to look at.

Artistic line for under headings in teal.

ABOUT US

Mā te kimi ka kite. Mā te kite ka mōhio. Mā te mōhio ka mārama.

Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened.

Augmented Reality Applications, also known as ARA Journeys, was founded in March 2018 by Dr Isaac Warbrick (Ngati Rangitihi, Ngati Te Ata, Ngā Puhi) and Amber Taylor (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Tainui, Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa). They wanted to build a distinctly Māori, tech company to promote health and wellbeing through a Te Ao Māori lens.

The Founders believed using immersive technologies in new and innovative ways would help people to better understand Indigenous systems and knowledge. Education from a Te Ao Māori and Indigenous lens provides a (re)connection between people and the whenua (land) – strengthening the physical and spiritual health of the people and the environment.

ARA Journeys is 100% Māori owned and prides itself on being an ethical games developer. The company has grown to a team of 7 Indigenous researchers, designers, and game developers, located in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The team are dedicated to working with Indigenous groups around the world to preserve and share Indigenous stories, knowledge, and languages for future generations.

Young school aged children sitting on grass looking at augmented reality game Manu through mobile ta

Young school aged children sitting on grass bank looking at augmented reality game character Manu through mobile tablets.

Middle-aged women sitting on tree branch looking at the ground through a mobile tablet

Middle-aged women sitting on tree branch looking at the ground through a mobile tablet.

Two middle-aged males and one middle aged female looking to out. One male is pointing at screen on m

Two middle-aged males and one middle aged female looking to out. One male is pointing at screen on mobile tablet.

Young school aged children sitting on grass looking at augmented reality game Manu through mobile ta

Young school aged children sitting on grass bank looking at augmented reality game character Manu through mobile tablets.

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INDIGENOUS STORYTELLING

Inā kei te mohio koe ko wai koe, i anga mai koe i hea, kei te mohio koe. Kei te anga atu ki hea.
If you know who you are and where you are from, then you will know where you are going.

ARA Journeys digital platforms are designed to share the stories of Iwi, and all Indigenous cultures, during pre-colonisation times. We want to preserve and share the stories that our tūpuna (ancestors) told and passed on for generations. The stories that teach us about the importance of our relationship with Papatūānuku to live a sustainable and balanced life. The stories that help us connect to the land our ancestors once walked on so we can better understand who we are and where we came from. The stories that we may never hear again because we are slowly losing them with the passing of our elders.

ARA's unique approach to bringing Indigenous history to life, through gamified storytelling enables people to connect with historical places and learn the rich (often forgotten) cultural stories of a region. As more cities become ‘smart cities’, our location-based games are becoming a novel way to use technology to highlight overlooked urban spaces - turning them into places for physical activity and outdoor education.

Research among Indigenous people has highlighted the value of cultural connection as a driver for lifestyle change and is linked to positive outcomes in areas such as health and education. We hope that with each step we take our mahi (work) inspires others to start their journey of exploration and (re)connection.

OUR TEAM

Amber Taylor

Co-founder

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Book

Ko tēnei taku pepeha ki te taha o tōku pāpā. Ko Taranaki te maunga. Ko Urenui te awa. Ko Tokomaru te waka. Ko Ngāti Mutunga me Te Āti Awa ōku iwi.

Ki te taha o tōku māmā. Ko Tutamoe te maunga. Ko Wairoa me Kaipara ngā awa. Ko Mahuhukiterangi te waka. Ko Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, me Te Rarawa ōku iwi.