Lead
Low-fidelity and High-fidelity UI design, Prototyping, Poster, Design System
A Digital Path to Kaitiakitanga for Hikers
An app that allows hikers to report issues while they encounter them on a hike, so the problems can be addressed promptly to the proper departments for resolution. Aggregates real-time track conditions to help other hikers prepare for hazards. Invite everyone to become part of the guardianship of Aotearoa's native bush.
OVERVIEW
Background
Marae March is a mobile application designed to foster kaitiakitanga—the Māori principle of guardianship and stewardship of the environment—by encouraging hikers to engage in conservation efforts across Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Design Process
Discover
- Primary Research
- Territory Scoping
Define
- Problem Framing
Design
- Ideations
- User Flow
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
Future Steps
- User Testing
- Iterations
RESEARCH
we explored the principles of Kaitiakitanga alongside the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to identify an impactful direction for our project. After a thorough analysis, we chose to focus on SDG Goal 15: Life on Land, integrating it with Kaitiakitanga to develop a solution that fosters environmental stewardship and sustainable land conservation
Kaitiakitanga
A kai tiaki is a guardian.
tanga:(noun)circumstance, time or place of striking.
- A kaitiaki is a guardian. This can be a person or group that cares for an area such as a lake or forest. They are given that role by the local iwi.
- Kaitiakitanga is a type of guardian that is based on circumstance.
- It applies ideas about preservation, conservation, repair and utlisation of environments for the present and future generations.
Sustainable Development
Goal 15 -Life on land
- 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods.
- Forests are home to more than 80% of all terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects.
- 2.6 billion people depend directly on agriculture for their living.
- 33% – Nature-based climate solutions can contribute a third of CO₂ reductions by 2030.
- The value of ecosystems to human livelihoods and well-being is USD $125 trillion per year
CHALLENGE & GOAL
Problem Reframing
How might we get people involved in the conservation of Aotearoa through an interactive and engaging experience by increasing awareness on how to inform people on New Zealand's native bush in a mana enhancing way?
USER FLOW
User Flow
STYLE GUIDE
Color
- #E1E4E7
- #AFBCCD
- #708D98
- #183450
- #7B9862
- #5F7220
- #4A5817
- #303F0E
- #D3A786
- #B78E5B
- #76261B
- #60372E
- #FFFFFF
- #EDEDED
- #D9D9D9
- #979797
- #302D2C
Fonts
Texture
HIGH-FIDELITY & PROTOTYPING
High-Fidelity
We have divided the project into five sections, each designed separately. I am primarily responsible for the design of the trail map and buttons. Once all sections are completed, I integrated them and finalize the prototyping.
- Setting & Profile
- Scan QR & Scrapbook
- Hazard & Report
- Trail Map
Trail Mapping
Trail mapping is the main section I designed, primarily focusing on displaying the user's current location, along with trail introductions and recommendations.
REFLECTION
Future Steps
- Conduct user testing to gather feedback for continuous iteration
- Form partnership with DOCs and I-Sites to promote Marae March
- Form partnership with local councils and work out a streamlined process for hazard resolutions
- Design and develop iwi end product
Takeaways
Marae March was a crash course in blending culture, sustainability, and UX. Leading the prototype, I turned Kaitiakitanga principles into a seamless user experience, proving design is more than just usability—it's storytelling, responsibility, and impact. Working with a diverse team sharpened my communication and problem-solving skills, and what started as a challenge in cultural integration became a creative breakthrough. This project left me not just a better designer, but a more thoughtful one.