With the tourism industry in Aotearoa New Zealand requiring a transformative approach to foster culturally grounded experiences, I joined an NZD $8.2M MBIE-funded multi-university project as a Postdoctoral Researcher. My objective was to develop on-site AR experiences that enhance tourists' place attachment and collective memory.
To achieve this, I explored various mobile AR and interactive storytelling tools, ensuring all technical implementations remained in strict alignment with Māori values such as kaitiakitanga (guardianship). By leading the UX evaluation and co-design methodologies, I ensured that these digital solutions were both engaging for users and culturally relevant.
Currently, I am contributing to this five-year national research program, effectively reshaping tourism by bridging cultural preservation with advanced spatial computing to deliver accessible digital heritage experiences. This role has deepened my understanding of how technology can serve as a bridge for cultural heritage, and I look forward to further refining these frameworks to create even more meaningful connections between people and the land.