Māori Illustration

Role

Deliverables

• -Comic book / pūrākau introducing rangatahi to renewable energy
• -Story framework linking Atua, local assets, and infrastructure
• -Quest-based learning concept direction
• -Strategic vision for digital twin city learning

Outcome

Publicly cited by Orion New Zealand Limited in their June 2023 Climate Change Commission submission - an independent, documented endorsement of a culturally grounded framework now positioned for regional and digital-twin expansion.

Role

Deliverables

• -Two bilingual books in Te Reo Māori and English
• -18-page illustrated graphic novel
• -Custom cover artwork and back-cover layouts
• -4–6 pages of introductory / contextual content
• -A4 web and print-ready layouts
• -Reusable illustration asset base

Outcome

A culturally rich, visually compelling bilingual learning resource - an 18-page illustrated graphic novel with publication-ready digital and print layouts, plus a reusable illustration library that extends the commission into future maps, activity books, and classroom tools.

Role

Deliverables

• -Consultation and editing across 1,600+ lines of dialogue for linguistic and cultural accuracy
• -Chin moko design inspired by Tūmatauenga, featuring mangōpare (hammerhead shark) motifs
• -Jacket patch art and visual references for base and legendary skins
• -Performance and animation workshops - facial expressions, gestures, body movement
• -A bespoke haka written for the character, featured in the 'Judgment' Stories from the Outlands trailer
• -User Guide documentation to support Respawn's implementation of cultural content

Outcome

A Māori Legend launched in Apex Legends Season 12 'Defiance' (February 2022) with cultural elements developed through genuine partnership - establishing Māui Studios as a cultural consultancy able to operate at AAA scale with a major international studio.

Role

Deliverables

• -60-card deck with 6 colours × 10 Ihi values, each a unique Toa warrior
• -7-row Taonga board with formation-based claiming
• -War / Whawhai turn-based battle system with boost tokens
• -13 Rautaki strategy cards (Pūkaha, Taniwha, Wā Kai, Nekeneke)
• -Eight atua-aligned avatars with runtime perks, plus Māui boss and New Game + final boss
• -Gauntlet mode and built-in Learn to Play tutorial
• -React 19 + TanStack Start edge-deployed web build with i18n architecture for te reo Māori

Outcome

A polished single-player strategy card game that holds cultural depth and tactical richness in one product - establishing a distinctive original IP for Māui Studios that fuses Māori mythology with contemporary strategy gaming through self-determined cultural expression.

Role

Deliverables

• -Exterior whare artwork - tāniko across the maihi; taniko and haehae window frosting
• -Interior entrance artwork - poutama and tukutuku
• -Interior wall artwork series, including the Tuakiritanga identity wall
• -Culminating ninth artwork - Kia Tipu, Kia Ora te Rangatahi
• -Design, artwork production, and installation-ready files

Outcome

A whare manaaki transformed into a culturally affirming environment - one connected te ao Māori narrative across exterior, entrance, and interior surfaces, developed with mana whenua, intended to help rangatahi step toward restoration, support, and belonging.

Role

Deliverables

• -Primary tohu drawing together pouwhenua, the hiwi of the waka taua, and the korowai
• -Wordmark, full lockup, and standalone logomark
• -Primary colour palette with monochromatic treatments and typography system
• -Per-pou colourways for Te Taiao, Hauora, Kaupapa Māori, and Rangatahi
• -Brand collateral - letterhead, digital watermark, pull-up banners, email signature, display picture, favicon
• -Brand guidelines deck with alternative layouts and image-treatment guidance

Outcome

A cohesive kaupapa Māori brand system that honours whakapapa and place while signalling growth - flexible enough to express the trust's five pou through dedicated colourways, and ready for application across letterheads, banners, digital channels, and signage.