Augmented Reality Integrated Educational Board Game
Get ready to set sail with Waka Hourua!
Waka Hourua is an educational board game for children to play and discover about the early Polynesian migration and navigation. Waka Hourua goes beyond traditional board games, integrating Augmented Reality to create an immersive and interactive play experience. Children can discover how Māori ancestors built canoes and travelled across the ocean using the stars, wind, and birds and observing nature. The Waka Hourua game is a resource that teachers can engage their students and spark their curiosity about the history of Polynesia. So, set sail with Waka Hourua and explore the amazing world of early Polynesian navigation.
Meet the crew
A waka is only as strong as its crew. Inspired by the value of kotahitanga, every crew member contributes unique skills and talents that help the team succeed. Choose the character that best suits your style and work together to navigate challenges, support one another, and complete your voyage.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is a unique feature integrated into the board game where children can interact with virtual objects in the real world through a digital device such as a smartphone, tablet or iPad. It’s not just for fun and games, though – it’s also an incredible learning tool. Kids can play with cards and watch 3D objects come to life right before their eyes. Let’s have some fun and learn at the same time with augmented reality!
Event Cards
Event cards bring the voyage to life, presenting different situations and challenges. Storms and rain can damage the waka, affecting the well-being of the crew. Winds and currents can steer you off course or you might spot birds that indicate the land is nearby. These cards weave in the essence of early Polynesian navigation, enhancing the learning and gameplay experience.
Our rangatahi are really enjoying the game and it is now our favourite. The games have generated lots of interest in waka hourua and wayfinding. Lots of laughter and words of encouragement are heard as different groups race to arrive at the new destination.
- Westland High School
Clubs and the schools who have taken part in the RŪNĀ Kōrinorino activities have loved the Wakahourua game. Thank you!
- Yachting New Zealand
Very positive feedback and the people playing it were very engaged with it from start to end of the game.
- Doc Edge Festival | Immersive Exhibition
360 Degree Interactivity
Take your adventure beyond the board with the free Waka Hourua app, available on Apple and Android devices, including iPads, tablets, and smartphones. Explore two immersive 360-degree experiences, step aboard a virtual waka, and learn about the stars that guided early Polynesian navigators. The app brings the voyage to life through interactive learning and exploration.
Take your adventure beyond the board with the free Waka Hourua app, available on Apple and Android devices, including iPads, tablets, and smartphones. Explore two immersive 360-degree experiences, step aboard a virtual waka, and learn about the stars that guided early Polynesian navigators. The app brings the voyage to life through interactive learning and exploration.
Success comes through working together. Rather than competing, players collaborate to make decisions, overcome challenges, and support one another throughout the voyage. Waka Hourua promotes holistic learning by combining Māori knowledge, science, numeracy, technology, environmental education, and history within an engaging cooperative experience. Players also develop essential life skills including strategic thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and empathy.
What's
Inside
- Board
- Event Cards
- AR Cards
- Character Cards
- Instructions
- Dice
- Waka Token
- Player Tokens
- Wellbeing/ Waka / Knowledge Points
- Activity Sheets