M¯aori app makers build on success
A trio of Palmerston North app makers are building on the success of their first effort by creating another game to help teach te reo Ma¯ ori.
James Porter, his partner Veronica Tawhai and friend Alan Nasario make up the trio of parents-turned programmers who released their first app, called He aha te¯ nei, (What is this?), in April.
It was downloaded about 35,000 times after its release, prompting the trio to create a second phone app.
Porter said the new app, He haerenga (A trip away), featured a game aimed at teaching children and their caregivers beginnerslevel te reo.
The first effort was a simple drag-and-drop game that had 20 commonly used Ma¯ ori words and incorporated sounds and animation to make for fun learning.
The new game is a step up from the first, with a dictionary of 30 words. It is themed around four holiday destinations popular with Kiwi families - a river, beach, mountain and farm.
An ‘‘outer space’’ bonus scene was available after users finished the other four scenes.
The apps were designed for children under 5, but the idea was for caregivers and parents to learn alongside them.
Porter began learning the language with his children who attend a te reo Ma¯ori speaking school.
Although it could be daunting for caregivers and parents to learn a new language, Porter said wanted to encourage people to give it a go.
Having an app gave people a chance to share that learning time with their children and learn alongside them. The first app received good feedback, including from grandparents learning te reo with their grandchildren.
He haerenga is available for purchase on both Apple and Android devices in New Zealand and Australia.