Ōku Ira
Virtual Reality Pūrākau, Identity, and Wellbeing
Overview
He Kupu Whakataki
Ōku Ira is a rakatihi led kaupapa that uses immersive virtual reality to carry pūrākau, te reo Māori, and cultural knowledge in ways that strengthen identity, connection, and wellbeing.
While Ōku Ira supports learning and language revitalisation, its deeper purpose is to respond to regional inequity. It creates culturally grounded spaces for whānau and rakatihi who live in areas where access to kaupapa Māori education, fluent reo speakers, and everyday cultural environments is limited.
Ōku Ira is powered by Aho Ira and held within the kaupapa of Te Oriori Trust.
Origins of the Kaupapa
Ōku Ira emerged from earlier pūrākau-based digital mahi developed under Whakamārama, including large-scale public presentations shared at ILT Stadium during Matariki. These works demonstrated how pūrākau, when carried through contemporary digital forms, could reach wide audiences while remaining culturally grounded.
Following this public work, an international kōrero emerged through informal connection. That kōrero led to correspondence between Te Oriori Trust and Canadian researchers working in virtual reality and Indigenous wellbeing.
From this exchange, a formal collaboration developed between Te Oriori Trust and three Canadian polytechnics, with research leadership provided by Dr Lindsey Beauchamp, Head Researcher at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, alongside multiple Indigenous and academic partners.
Ōku Ira grew not as a technology-first project, but as a continuation of pūrākau practice responding to contemporary needs.
The Concept That Started It All
Virtual Reality as a Cultural Space
Te Ao Mariko hei Wāhi Noho
Ōku Ira uses virtual reality not as a replacement for kanohi-ki-te-kanohi learning, but as a cultural meeting space where access barriers are reduced.
Through immersive pūrākau environments, participants can:
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experience pūrākau rather than observe them
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hear and use te reo in context
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engage with peers across regions simultaneously
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participate in cross-Indigenous kōrero with Canadian Indigenous rakatihi
This approach allows rakatihi in regions like Murihiku to access cultural experiences that would otherwise require proximity to marae networks, kura kaupapa, or specialist kaiako.
Rakatihi Leadership and Co-Design
Te Ārahitaka a te Rakatihi
Ōku Ira is rakatihi-led and rakatihi-designed. Rakatihi shape the storytelling, visual language, and cultural framing of the virtual environments.
The research and technical development of the kaupapa is supported by academic partners in Canada, while remaining accountable to community knowledge, tikaka, and Indigenous leadership in Aotearoa.