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Scoop
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
South Island Levels Up With Toi Māori-Inspired Arcade Art At Tūhura
If you were a kid in Aotearoa during the '80s or '90s, the glow of a spacies machine at the local dairy or fish and chip shop was the stuff of magic. Now, that magic is being reimagined through the lens of contemporary design and te ao Māori in Arca Arcade: Round One, a striking new exhibition opening at Tūhura Otago Museum this Friday. The exhibition, making its South Island debut, transforms nostalgic arcade cabinets into fully playable works of art. Created by Wellington-based designer Preston McNeil, Arca Arcade is a bold fusion of industrial design, retro technology, and cultural storytelling. The exhibition features custom-built, wall-mounted machines adorned with original artwork from some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most iconic contemporary artists including Gina Kiel, Flox, Otis Frizzell, Joe Sheehan, and Otis Chamberlain. What makes Arca Arcade truly groundbreaking is its integration of carved pounamu and whakairo-inspired design elements believed to be a world-first in arcade machine design. The result is a powerful collision of classic video game culture with te ao Māori, a celebration of play that's deeply rooted in place and identity. Exhibition creator Preston McNeil has spent years exploring the intersection of technology, creativity, and nostalgia. A lifelong tinkerer and designer, 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 couldn't win but tried anyway,' McNeil said. 'Blending those memories with the depth and craft of Māori design has created something I never imagined I'd be able to build. And it's amazing to finally bring it to the South Island.' The exhibition's arrival in Dunedin is no accident. Tūhura Otago Museum's Head of Exhibitions and Design, Craig Scott, says the city is already a hub for innovation in the digital space. 'Dunedin is home to incredible gaming talent and creative energy. We're proud to partner with CODE, the Centre of Digital Excellence to present this exhibition and show young people what's possible when design, technology, and culture collide. This is about inspiring as much as it is fun nostalgia.' Visitors to the exhibition can play the games housed inside each uniquely designed cabinet, making it as interactive as it is artistic. But Arca Arcade is also a reflection of where design is heading towards deeper meaning, collaboration, and connection to culture. To mark the opening, Preston McNeil will give a free public talk at the Museum on Friday night, sharing insights into the creative process, the challenges of building playable art, and how he collaborated with artists to bring each machine to life. Attendees will also get a first look at the exhibition. Arca Arcade: Round One runs from 19 July to 21 September in the Beautiful Science Gallery. Entry is free. For anyone passionate about art, design, gaming, or what happens when the past is given a future-forward twist, this is one exhibition not to miss.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Museum hosts exhibition blending arcade gaming, te ao Maori
''Arca Arcade: Round One'' exhibition designer Preston McNeil amid a colourful array of arcade machine-inspired art at Tūhura Otago Museum. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Space Invaders, Pac Man, Asteroids, Donkey Kong — if you were a child in the 1980s or '90s, the warm glow of a spacies machine at the local fish and chip shop or dairy was alluring, almost intoxicating. Now, that atmosphere is being reimagined through the lens of contemporary design and te ao Māori in a new exhibition at Tūhura Otago Museum, titled "Arca Arcade: Round One". Exhibition designer Preston McNeil, of Wellington, said it was a bold fusion of industrial design, retro technology and cultural storytelling. It featured custom-built, wall-mounted machines, adorned with original artwork from some of New Zealand's top contemporary artists, including Gina Kiel, Flox, Otis Frizzell, Joe Sheehan and Otis Chamberlain. Visitors can play the games housed inside each uniquely designed cabinet, making it as interactive as it is artistic. Mr McNeil said the exhibition was believed to be a world first in arcade machine design because it integrated carved pounamu and whakairo-inspired design elements. He had wanted to create something that honoured the history of arcade gaming and the richness of contemporary New Zealand art. The result was a powerful collision of classic video game culture with te ao Māori — a celebration of play that was deeply rooted in place and identity, he said. "These machines are a love letter to every kid who dropped their last 20cents into a game they knew they couldn't win, but tried anyway. "Blending those memories with the depth and craft of Māori design has created something I never imagined I'd be able to build. "And it's amazing to finally bring it to the South Island." The exhibition opens at the museum tonight, and it is the first time it has been held in the South Island. Tūhura Otago Museum exhibitions and design head Craig Scott said the museum partnered with the Centre of Digital Excellence (Code) to present the exhibition, in the hope of showing young people what was possible when design, technology and culture collided. "This is about inspiring, as much as it is about fun nostalgia." Mr McNeil will give a free public talk at the museum tonight, sharing insights into the creative process, the challenges of building playable art, and how he collaborated with the artists to bring each machine to life. The exhibition runs from July 19 to September 21.
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Panels reflect ORC building's new name
A feature panel is now secured to the side of the Otago Regional Council's new premises, reflecting the building's new name — Aonui. PHOTOS: GERARD O'BRIEN Two feature panels being installed on the side of the Otago Regional Council building this week hold clues to the name of the new premises. The Maclaggan St building, owned by Port Otago and leased by the ORC, is to be called Aonui — a prestigious name that encapsulates Kāi Tahu identity throughout time. Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou ūpoko Edward Ellison said the name had "great mana and significance" in both te ao Māori and in Kāi Tahu tradition, and had the endorsement of mana whenua from across the region. "Given ORC's important role in achieving the sustainable use and management of our environment, and their commitment to partnering with mana whenua, we are delighted to share such a prestigious name for their building." Mr Ellison said Aonui related to the pursuit of knowledge in the natural world, and it was the son of Rehua in the celestial world — also known as Antares in Western astronomy. The waka Āraiteuru, which is synonymous with the Otago coast, had a crew member named Aonui, who sought fresh water and found it at Mata au (Clutha River), and is remembered by the tall basaltic pillar named Aonui (Cooks Head) just north of the Tokomairaro River on the Āraiteuru coastline. The name and panel designs were provided by mana whenua cultural experts Dr Megan Pōtiki, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Mr Ellison. The pūhoro patterns on the panels were created by Kāi Tahu artist Ephraim Russell, under the guidance of Aukaha's Mana Ahurea design team, and depict the rivers and streams that run through Dunedin — in particular, the awa Toitū that flows down MacLaggan St. Kāi Tahu shares a deep, cultural connection to fresh water, recognising its vital role in traditions, practices and its symbiotic relationship with the land. Fresh water holds importance as a taoka (precious resource), influencing traditional practices of mahika kai, and fostering a sense of respect, reciprocity and kaitiakitaka (stewardship). The location of the build is significant to mana whenua, with the Toitū awa (stream) next to the site of the building, as well as the location of the old Māori hostel nearby. Otago Regional Council chairwoman Gretchen Robertson said Aonui reflected the council's dedication to mana whenua and to the environment. "We are delighted that mana whenua have endorsed this prestigious name that is solidified in the Otago landscape and pulls together all aspects of the environment, from freshwater to salt water and to air. "It really highlights the importance council places on our relationship with mana whenua and our joint environmental priorities and aspirations." Other councillors' opinions were mixed. Cr Gary Kelliher denounced the whole $54.5million building as a "burden" on ratepayers. "This building continues to be a huge blight on the ratepayers and a huge cost to everyone except iwi, who get paid for their involvement and now get a mythical name that doesn't really resonate with the wider Otago community." Cr Tim Mepham described Cr Kelliher's comment as "a redneck rant". "Accepting the name Aonui, given by Ngai Tahu for the new building, reflects not only the maturing of relationship between Ngai Tahu and the council, but a growing acceptance within New Zealand that Maori and Pakeha are working together to create a positive future that will distinguish this country from the rest of the Western world." Cr Kelliher also criticised the decision to use synthetic carpet in the building instead of more environmentally friendly wool carpet, which he said was "one of the biggest kicks in the guts" for Otago farmers. "This building will burden Otago for generations, and is a prime example of why major changes are needed in regional government." Cr Michael Laws described the new headquarters as an official "up yours" to every ratepayer in the region. "It's a building in search of an empire." Cr Alexa Forbes and Cr Mepham said those who were concerned about the rates should have a close look at the funding mechanisms for the building — the sale of existing property, an existing building fund and what would normally be paid in rent. "The actual impact on ratepayers is minor," Cr Forbes said. Cr Kate Wilson, Cr Alan Somerville and Cr Forbes said they were all happy with the new name.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
ORC reveals name of new building
Two feature panels being installed on the side of the Otago Regional Council building this week hold clues to the name of the new premises. The Maclaggan St building, owned by Port Otago and leased by the ORC, is to be called Aonui - a prestigious name that encapsulates Kāi Tahu identity throughout time. Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou ūpoko Edward Ellison said the name had ''great mana and significance'' in both te ao Māori and in Kāi Tahu tradition, and had the endorsement of mana whenua from across the region. ''Given ORC's important role in achieving the sustainable use and management of our environment, and their commitment to partnering with mana whenua, we are delighted to share such a prestigious name for their building.'' Mr Ellison said Aonui related to the pursuit of knowledge in the natural world, and it was the son of Rehua in the celestial world - also known as Antares in Western astronomy. The waka Āraiteuru , which is synonymous with the Otago coast, had a crew member named Aonui, who sought fresh water and found it at Mata au (Clutha River), and is remembered by the tall basaltic pillar named Aonui (Cooks Head) just north of the Tokomairaro River on the Āraiteuru coastline. The name and panel designs were provided by mana whenua cultural experts Dr Megan Pōtiki, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Mr Ellison. The pūhoro patterns on the panels were created by Kāi Tahu artist Ephraim Russell, under the guidance of Aukaha's Mana Ahurea design team, and depict the rivers and streams that run through Dunedin - in particular, the awa Toitū that flows down MacLaggan St. Kāi Tahu shares a deep, cultural connection to freshwater, recognising its vital role in traditions, practices and its symbiotic relationship with the land. Freshwater holds importance as a taoka (precious resource), influencing traditional practices of mahika kai, and fostering a sense of respect, reciprocity, and kaitiakitaka (stewardship). The location of the build is significant to mana whenua, with the Toitū awa (stream) adjacent to the site of the building, as well as the location of the old Māori hostel nearby. Otago Regional Council chairwoman Gretchen Robertson said Aonui reflected council's commitment to mana whenua and to the environment. ''We are delighted that mana whenua have endorsed this prestigious name that is solidified in the Otago landscape and pulls together all aspects of the environment, from freshwater to salt water and to air. ''It really highlights the importance council places on our relationship with mana whenua and our joint environmental priorities and aspirations.''
Scoop
15-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
'Prestigious' New Build Name Solidified In The Otago Environment
As the first of two feature panels are installed on Port Otago's new build this week, the name of the building, to be leased by the Otago Regional Council (ORC), has been revealed. Aonui is a prestigious name that encapsulates Kāi Tahu identity throughout time, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou Ūpoko Edward Ellison says. 'The name Aonui has great mana and significance in both te ao Māori and in Kāi Tahu tradition and has the endorsement of mana whenua from across the region. Given ORC's important role in achieving the sustainable use and management of our environment, and their commitment to partnering with mana whenua, we are delighted to share such a prestigious name for their building,' Mr Ellison says. Aonui relates to the pursuit of knowledge in the natural world. In the celestial world, Aonui is the son of Rehua, known as Antares in western astronomy. The waka Āraiteuru, which is synonymous with Otago coast, had a crew member named Aonui, who sought fresh water and found it at Mata au (Clutha River) and is remembered by the tall basaltic pillar named Aonui (Cooks Head) just north of the Tokomairaro River on the Āraiteuru coastline. Otago Regional Council Chairperson, Gretchen Robertson, says Aonui reflects Council's commitment to mana whenua and to the environment. 'We are delighted that mana whenua have endorsed this prestigious name that is solidified in the Otago landscape and pulls together all aspects of the environment, from freshwater to salt water and to air. It really highlights the importance Council places on our relationship with mana whenua and our joint environmental priorities and aspirations.' The name and designs have been derived from matauraka (knowledge) provided by mana whenua cultural experts Dr Megan Pōtiki, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Edward Ellison. The new name is in line with the installation of the first of two large feature panels being installed along Maclaggan Street and The Broadway this week. The panels, designed by Kāi Tahu artist Ephraim Russell, under the guidance of Aukaha's Mana Ahurea design team, depict the awa (rivers and streams) that run through Dunedin, in particular the awa Toitū that flows down MacLaggan Street. Kāi Tahu share a deep, cultural connection to freshwater, recognising its vital role in traditions, practices, and its symbiotic relationship with the land. Freshwater holds importance as a taoka (precious resource), influencing traditional practices of mahika kai, and fostering a sense of respect, reciprocity, and kaitiakitaka (stewardship). The pūhoro patterns (a traditional motif in Māori design) represent the water's movement and speed as it journeys across the whenua. Aukaha is a mana whenua owned organisation that delivers cultural design integration, environmental and social services across the Otago and South Canterbury region. Led by Aukaha Design Lead Aroha Novak, Aukaha's design team includes Kāi Tahu artists Kate Stevens West, James York, and Ephraim Russell, who have worked with architects GHD in a co-design process to weave mana whenua values and narratives into the building design. The location of the build is significant to mana whenua, with the Toitū awa/stream adjacent to the site of the building, as well as the location of the old Māori hostel nearby.
