Download - Te Puni Kokiri

RANGATAHI
DIGITAL AGE AND MÄORI
A new generation of innovative young Mäori is forging
exciting career opportunities in the creative industries.
Computer game developer Maru
Nihoniho is representative of
this emerging talent base. In
America her company, Metia
Interactive, will be launching
their first game, “The Cube”, for
the Sony PlayStation Portable
market.
It will be launched in Aotearoa
in May, the same time as its
Europe and Japan release.
Maru (Ngäti Porou, Te Whänau
ä Apanui, Ngäi Tahu) established
Metia Interactive in 2003 and it
is now Auckland’s largest game
development studio.
Metia Interactive is also working
on “Täkaro”, a mobile phone
game, and also “The Guardian”,
a futuristic action adventure for
PlayStation 3 and X Box.
Mäia, a wahine toa, is the main
character and also the protector
of ancient täonga. With the
support of two other heroines
and cool weaponry she battles
her nemesis, an evil mindcontrolling
taniwha.
Maru is working with another
production company to develop
the concept into not only a
game, but also a big-budget
feature film.
Poata Eruera has written the
script and there is interest from
overseas investors in the project.
Maru’s passion for gaming
began as a youngster. After 10
years working in hospitality she
completed a Diploma of Multimedia
and soon after decided to
transform her love of computer
games into a business venture.
Metia will be featured at the
“The New Cool”, an exhibition
celebrating entrepreneurial
creatives.
“The New Cool” is on now at the
Aotea Centre in Auckland and
runs until 12 May.
TAIOHI
Check out page 10
for more details.
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TE PUNI KÖKIRI | KÖKIRI | PAENGA WHÄWHÄ – HARATUA 2007