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Mātai Whenua is a digital platform that helps Māori landowners, trustees and whānau make informed decisions about their whenua – while also building understanding of climate change and emissions.
The research on climate change and emissions is clear, but engagement with the topics has historically been low. Because for many Māori landowners thinking about their whenua’s future, climate change isn't the starting point. Instead, the focus is on practical outcomes for their whenua, their whānau, and their enterprises.
We started with some research of our own, and found two key insights: that institutional knowledge sources are often distrusted, and that people rarely come to Mātai Whenua looking for information on climate change. This meant the Mātai Whenua site had to do more than present climate info. It had to meet people where they are, with an experience that felt relevant, trustworthy, and user-oriented.
Led by these insights, we didn’t build a traditional hierarchical website. We built an exploratory digital world. Instead of funnelling users through a fixed narrative, we created a multi-directional browsing interface that encourages curiosity and discovery. So users could start anywhere, and find and follow the topics that matter most to them
The result is a culturally grounded digital platform, that connects everyday whenua decisions back to climate change and its impacts. Gradually, naturally, and authentically.
Mātai Whenua is a digital platform that helps Māori landowners, trustees and whānau make informed decisions about their whenua – while also building understanding of climate change and emissions.
The research on climate change and emissions is clear, but engagement with the topics has historically been low. Because for many Māori landowners thinking about their whenua’s future, climate change isn't the starting point. Instead, the focus is on practical outcomes for their whenua, their whānau, and their enterprises.
We started with some research of our own, and found two key insights: that institutional knowledge sources are often distrusted, and that people rarely come to Mātai Whenua looking for information on climate change. This meant the Mātai Whenua site had to do more than present climate info. It had to meet people where they are, with an experience that felt relevant, trustworthy, and user-oriented.
Led by these insights, we didn’t build a traditional hierarchical website. We built an exploratory digital world. Instead of funnelling users through a fixed narrative, we created a multi-directional browsing interface that encourages curiosity and discovery. So users could start anywhere, and find and follow the topics that matter most to them
The result is a culturally grounded digital platform, that connects everyday whenua decisions back to climate change and its impacts. Gradually, naturally, and authentically.
Surfacing content naturally
As users explore, the platform recommends content in two ways. One, by surfacing deeper material within the topic they’re already interested in. And two, by introducing related content that connects back to climate change and emissions. This means instead of being imposed from the start, climate knowledge emerges naturally and contextually.
Providing knowledge with context
Every resource is shared with rich context – including category tags like ‘Sustainable’, ‘Whenua’, or ‘Mātauranga’, featured images, how many people found it useful, and direct links to source websites. This makes understanding and evaluating content quick and easy.
Sharing ideas through a digital kete
Mātai Whenua’s digital world reflects how knowledge moves through real-world Māori communities. Users can gather resources into their own personal kete, creating a curated selection of insights to revisit or share with whānau, peers, and communities. So ideas and insights can travel the way they do in real life; through trusted relationships.
Knowledge that travels
Users can easily share valuable resources and research with whānau, peers, and communities directly from the page – fostering collaboration, discussion, and wider access to key information.
Maintaining autonomy and removing barriers
To reduce friction, we made a conscious decision to avoid traditional account systems. This means users don’t have to create an account or log in before accessing the site. Instead, cookies and shareable links let them share kete collections and revisit information they’re interested in, without ever feeling monitored or captured.
"Mātaiwhenua encourages balance through autonomy – helping users explore climate and greenhouse gas topics through the issues they already care about."
