Te Tai Whakaea - weaving empathy into collective storytelling
Challenges
Te Tai Whakaea presented unique challenges due to the diverse and evolving needs of each Treaty settlement web story. No two projects were the same, and each required a culturally responsive and flexible approach to collaboration. The non-linear nature of the kaupapa meant that timelines were fluid, and progress often depended on the readiness and priorities of the communities involved. This also meant internal resources for design, development and content support needed to stay flexible alongside other workstream priorities.
Approach
As design lead, my role was to oversee the design and development of each Treaty settlement story, working closely with iwi, hapū, and production partners to ensure final outputs reflected their voices and values. To maintain cultural integrity, it was vital to ensure that each story was told authentically and respectfully from the perspective of those involved in the settlement process.
We adopted an agile project structure that included the phases of initiation, planning and research, production, testing, launch, close-out and maintenance. My team provided comprehensive support throughout the digital publishing process, helping iwi understand technical requirements and accessibility needs through workshops and one on one sessions.
We supported the production of a wide range of digital content—including documentaries, interviews, and educational resources—tailored for both Māori-medium and English-medium education settings, ensuring the stories are accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.
Outcomes
Te Tai Whakaea has grown into a culturally grounded digital archive that preserves and shares the histories of Treaty settlements across Aotearoa. The platform has had a significant educational impact, offering cross-curricular resources to audiences. Through our collaborative and respectful approach, we built strong relationships with iwi and hapū, ensuring their voices are central to the storytelling process. Our agile and responsive design practice created a sustainable model that adapts to the pace and priorities of each community, resulting in meaningful and enduring digital resources that will inform and inspire current and future generations.
Since 2020 I have had the privilege to be involved with this special kaupapa. It has been an integral part of my personal te ao Māori journey.
