Why we do, what we do
ARA Ltd was established in February 2018 with the aim of enhancing cultural (re)connection, interactions with whakapapa and whenua (land), and the normalisation of te reo Māori through innovative applications of technology.
By focusing on the interface between traditional mātauranga (knowledge) and augmented and mixed realities (AR & MR), we hope to provide the community with interactive experiences that promote health and wellbeing and bring together culture and technology.
Our digital platform is 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 talk about the importance of the Maramataka (Māori Lunar Calendar) and the environment. The stories that we are slowly losing with the passing of our elders.
Our ultimate goal is to build a distinctly Māori, tech company and create innovative activations that help increase Iwi-based tourism opportunities and encourage Māori cultural enterprise.
E te whānau o ARA Journeys
Amber Taylor
Co-founder
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Ko tēnei taku pepeha ki te taha o tōku pāpā. Ko Taranaki tōku maunga. Ko Urenui tōku awa. Ko Ngāti Mutunga me Te Āti Awa ōku iwi.
Ki te taha o tōku māmā. Ko Tutamoe tōku maunga. Ko Wairoa me Kaipara ōku awa. Ko Ngāti Whātua me Te Rarawa ōku iwi.
Ben Kenobi
General Manager, Digital Operations
Ko Manaia te maunga
Ko Whangarei te awa
Nō te Kaokaoroa o Patetere ahau
Ko Tipene tōku whanau
James Brooks
Software Developer
Early Career
Ko Ruapehu tōku maunga
Ko Whanganui tōku awa
Ko Te Ati Hau Nui A Paparangi tōku iwi
Ko Koriniti tōku marae.
Dr. Isaac Warbrick
Co-founder / General Manager, Indigenous Innovation
"Whaia te iti kahurangi”
Ko Arawa te Waka,
Tarawera te maunga
Ko au te uri o Ngati Rangitihi, Ngati Te Ata, Te Mahurihuri hoki
Weber Li
Lead Programmer / Game Developer
tsa̍p tueh tsiam suann sī án suann
thâu tsîng Khe sī án khe
guá lâi tsū Taiwan
Maddison McNally
Gen-Z Content Creator
Student in training
Nō Ngāti Mutunga me Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Whātua, Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa ōku Tūpuna. Ko Amber Taylor tōku māmā
Ko tēnei taku pēpeha ki te taha o tōku pāpā. Ko Whakarongorua tōku maunga. Ko Utakura ōku awa. Ko Te Popoto tōku hapu. Ko Ngāphui tōku iwi.