Kauri protection message hitting home

Paddling the virtual waka at Fieldays 2023.

Finding ways to make important information resonate with people is tough work, but our kauri protection team is connecting Waikato locals to the story of our region’s magnificent kauri with some captivating tools and positive messages.

This June, the team launched its virtual reality experience, Kauri Pou Kaitiaki, which immerses users in a 360-degree simulated world illuminating the cultural, spiritual and ecological significance of our kauri trees and forests. A mātauranga Māori advisory group and experts in ecology and design all contributed to create a compelling visual and educational tool that aids our effort to inspire people to protect the region’s kauri trees.

The advisory group helped shape an authentic narrative rich in mātauranga and tikanga Māori concepts. In te ao Māori, kauri and whales are brothers, so the story begins under water and transports users into a mature kauri forest where the trees’ mere presence enables hundreds of other native flora and fauna to thrive. Ecologists helped ensure the forest was ecologically genuine, detailed with accurate associated species and creatures such as epiphytes, giant wētā and kōkaha (kauri grass).

The design agency captured all of these elements in a cordless headset that blocks out daylight so users are immersed in the story without distraction. After arriving in the kauri forest, users compete in an interactive shoe-cleaning game that reinforces why we all need to work do our bit to stop dirt and soil from spreading between forest areas.

Amy Lendrum talks to students at Coromandel Area School.

Waikato Regional Council staff have been taking Kauri Pou Kaitiaki on the road along with a model kauri created by Wētā Workshop, so people can learn and share in the story and ultimately do their part to see kauri thrive for future generations. So far the VR and kauri model have been to Fieldays 2023, several kura as part of the council’s Kura Waitī programme, and Mercury Bay and Coromandel Area Schools as part of Conservation Week. Our partner agencies and advisory group members have been sharing them in other regions too.

People’s reactions have been extremely encouraging for the kauri protection team. Over four hundred people tried the VR at Fieldays 2023, and school children and staff have been engaged, enthused and moved by the experience. Regional council kaiwhakarite, Peata Graham, said the tamariki at kura enthusiastically related the te ao Māori aspects, adding that “no one ever wants one turn. They all want to do it again.” The kura classes really engaged with the game and were amazed at how big the mature trees actually are.

Breeahn Munns, biosecurity coordinator for the kauri team, said the VR is a “game changer” after she watched Year 5 and 6 students in the Coromandel absorb all the material and carefully and astutely complete Q&A activities alongside of it. She said some of the questions were quite tricky but the students had the knowledge and skills to stay focused and work them out. She says the VR isn’t just for kids though: “Adults come in and nine times out of ten it exceeds their expectations.”

Wairakei Primary School students immersed in the kauri forest as part of our Enviroschools programme.

Amy Lendrum, marketing and projects coordinator for kauri protection, said it was great to be positive and see students connect the story and resources to their area: “I love that we can use the tools to have positive conversations about what they can do and that they feel empowered to go and do it.”

She says research shows that positively reinforcing desired behaviours is the best way to promote behaviour change: “It’s not just because it’s fun.” She says while kids eagerly line up for a turn or a second turn, she also noticed adults get just as much out of the experience: “Feedback from parents and teachers has been great. The adults might even get more out of it. We don’t want them to be too polite and miss out.”

Kauri Pou Kaitiaki is rolling out to more schools as part of the Enviroschools programme, and schools or community organisations (including outside the Waikato) that are interested in bringing the VR and Wētā Workshop kauri tree model to their campus or event can email kauri@waikatoregion.govt.nz for more information.