Mātauranga Games is a company made from a group of 3 Otago University students. As a group we are focussed on broadening the use and knowledge of Te Reo Māori as well as highlighting the significant cultural aspects. In Aotearoa, a huge part of our nation's identity includes our language. Te Reo is an official language that has been under regression. We aim to help make it a part of daily life for everyone. Our solution as Mātauranga games is to introduce fun and educational games for everyone.
Our business began in 2020 as a Young Enterprise scheme, after great demand, the company has reformed in 2022 and is looking to expand. Our company consists of three main people: Cameron Elliott as Chief Executive officer, alongside Shaedon Miller and Tiana Edwards as partners.
Whitu Cards is our first development and is currently undergoing restock after popular demand. It is a card game that features vibrant colours and classic characters that open the door to learning more about Māori culture. At a surface level, the game introduces basic Reo through introducing colours and numbers. Developing on this, it also incorporates the most well known Māori Gods such as, Māui, Tāwhirimatea, and Tūmatauenga. Each ‘god card’ has an important role in the game relating to an aspect of their creation narratives. Māui is a demi-god and is well known for bringing fire to the world by capturing the sun and slowing it down. In the game, the Māui card forces everyone to pick up 2 cards, slowing them down, like the sun, on their path of victory. Tāwhirimatea is the god of weather and guardian of winds. In the purakau, he uses the wind and weather to send his four children in different directions. When playing the God card, you’re essentially using the forces on wind from Tāwhirimatea to reverse the order of play. Lastly there is Tūmatauenga. He is the god of war and his card can be used as a ‘shield’ defending you from the attack of other players.
Our products are made in Aotearoa and we aim to keep things as green as possible. Using a NZ based printing company our cards are made with 100% non-toxic ink and renewable solar power energy.
