Virtual Reality Pōwhiri—Practicing an indigenous welcoming ceremony
Laurence Lloyd-Jones, Claudia Ott, Holger T. Regenbrecht, Hēmi Whaanga · 2023
Pōwhiri is a traditional welcoming ceremony in Māori culture in Aotearoa New Zealand. Certain protocols (tikanga) have to be followed and must be learned. There is a general lack of understanding regarding this due to the scarcity of pōwhiri. The immersive and experiential nature of Virtual Reality (VR) can be used as a tool to increase understanding and confidence. We have implemented a VR learning tool in the reconstructed context of Te Rau Aroha marae in Bluff which allows for safe practice of pōwhiri before applying it in a real welcoming ceremony.