For this brief, we were tasked with designing an interactive donation experience for Auckland Museum that engaged visitors meaningfully while reflecting the cultural values of Aotearoa. Early on, we made the intentional decision to centre our concept around koha—the act of giving—as it felt like the most natural and culturally resonant response to the challenge.

Our team developed Te Ruma Karē, an immersive, garden-themed digital space inspired by Te Ao Māori principles such as manaakitanga, tikanga, and whakapapa. Visitors step into a quiet, sacred-feeling room where they digitally plant a native flower as a symbolic donation, becoming part of a growing collective display.

As UX designer and team leader, I shaped the experience from concept to execution—even learning Blender to model the 3D space and ensure the design aligned with tikanga and practical needs. Every detail—from the low-poly visual style to poutama and purapura whetū motifs—was chosen to reflect a respectful and contemporary expression of Māori culture.

Once a donation was made, visitors would see their selected flower grow on the digital garden wall. Animated transitions and subtle sound design drew attention to the user’s new flower as it bloomed.

The room’s background shifted between day, night, and the four seasons to create a living, temporal space that evolved throughout the year.

We introduced a dual palette system to reflect both physical and metaphysical aspects of Te Ao Māori:

• Soft greens and whites — inspired by native bush, for calm and emotional connection.
• Black-based accents — representing tapu and mana, creating depth and sacredness.

We grounded this project in core values of Te Ao Māori: manaakitanga (hospitality), tikanga (customs), and whakapapa (connection). Koha was reframed as a collective, symbolic act rather than a transactional exchange.

The native garden metaphor shaped both the interaction model and emotional tone — inviting quiet reflection, contribution, and connection.