Latest news with #te
Otago Daily Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Exhibition blends arcade games, Māori design
Tūhura Otago Museum pasifika engagement co-ordinator Leota Meredith tries her hand at one of the reimagined video games featured in the "Arca Arcade: Round One" exhibition. PHOTO: CHARLIE BUCHAN Contemporary design and cultural storytelling come together in a unique exhibition now open at Tūhura Otago Museum. "Arca Arcade: Round One" is a display of fully playable retro gaming machines created by designer Preston McNeil, of Wellington. Mr McNeil said he wanted to create something that honoured both the history of arcade gaming and the richness of contemporary Aotearoa art. "These machines are a love letter to every kid who dropped their last 20 cents into a game they knew they could not win, but tried anyway. "Blending those memories with the depth and craft of Māori design has created something I never imagined I would be able to build." "Arca Arcade" integrates te ao Māori, whakairo (carving) and worked pounamu with classic video game culture. The machines are adorned with original artwork from contemporary artists including Gina Kiel, Flox, Otis Frizzell, Joe Sheehan and Otis Chamberlain. Visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to play the games housed inside each uniquely designed cabinet. Tūhura Otago Museum pasifika engagement co-ordinator Leota Meredith said playing the games brought back memories. "Back in my prime, we used to call these games 'choice'. It was all about challenging your mates. "You would only find them at the local dairy and playing felt like a special occasion." Players once had to pay 20 cents, which was a significant amount then, so every game mattered. "It's great to play them again; it brings back so many memories. And having them free now? Even better." Tūhura Otago Museum head of exhibitions and design Craig Scott said Dunedin was already a hub for digital innovation and home to creative gaming talent. "We are proud to partner with Code, the Centre of Digital Excellence, to present this exhibition and show young people what is possible when design, technology and culture collide. "This is about inspiring as much as it is fun nostalgia." • "Arca Arcade: Round One" runs until September 21 in the Beautiful Science Gallery.
Scoop
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Proposals To Strengthen Biodiversity Released
Minister of Conservation Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to better protect our precious biodiversity and its economic benefits for future generations, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. 'Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is releasing two discussion documents for public consultation, and I encourage all New Zealanders to read them and share their views. 'Our beloved biodiversity provides a world-class wealth of environmental and economic benefits for Aotearoa New Zealand. However, more than 4,000 of our precious species are threatened or at risk of extinction so we must work harder and smarter to protect biodiversity.' Proposed actions to progress the Te Mana o te Taiao – Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020 cover four themes: Prioritising species and habitats for action; Increasing revenue and non-government funding for biodiversity; Improving evidence and knowledge for effective decision making; and Growing capability by developing the right skills. 'Feedback will help central, regional and local government create and deliver an implementation plan to 2030 that reflects New Zealanders' aspirations for conservation action,' Mr Potaka says. 'We're also consulting on next steps toward our ambitious goal of a predator free New Zealand by 2050, which was first launched by National nine years ago. 'Predator Free 2050 is one of the Department of Conservation's key biodiversity programmes addressing the threat of introduced predators to our unique nature.' Key areas for public feedback on the Predator Free 2050 strategy are: New goals to achieve by 2030; and The list of target predators. 'The rapid development of new eradication tools and methods and impressive community trapping efforts across the motu are delivering significant results. 'It's time to take stock and ensure we are focussed on achieving the right things together for the next five years,' Mr Potaka says. The discussion documents are available on the Department of Conservation website. Consultation closes on 30 June 2025.
