Te Matatini
Te Matatini is renowned for hosting the world’s largest Kapa Haka event. Beyond the stage, their enduring contributions to communities across Aotearoa were often unseen. They wanted to revitalise their website to authentically share their rich history, celebrate all of their events, and spotlight their enduring commitment to uplifting Aotearoa through the power of Kapa Haka.
Role: UX & UI Designer
Tools: Figma, Excel and Miro
Timeline: 3 months
Deliverable: Website (Desktop and Mobile)
Type: Agency project
With Indigenous Design and Innovation Aotearoa (IDIA) and Deviate, we worked closely with the Te Matatini team to redesign their website. Our goal was to improve access to key information and content, aligning the site with the team’s vision.
The Process
Our senior designer led a seamless transition into UX and UI application, ensuring the client had a clear understanding of the team structure, design strategy, and key creative references. Resources such as moodboards and industry examples were shared early on to align expectations and inspire direction. We also introduced tools like stylescapes and wireframes to visualise how our ideas would take shape throughout the design journey.
As the UX/UI designer, I worked closely with the team to develop a comprehensive site map that accurately captured the purpose, structure, and required content of each page. This foundational step ensured clarity across the team and guided the wireframing process, helping us stay aligned with both client goals and project scope.
We maintained regular check-ins with the project team and developers to review and refine the wireframes and site map, adapting to feedback and technical feasibility as the project evolved. My goal was to introduce a dynamic bilingual typographic style for headers, while refining the navigation structure—from main menus to subpage layouts and design the composition of the visual elements.
UI Design Application
Following the completion of the wireframes, our visual design team explored creative directions to guide the look and feel of the site. Te Hana led the first round, drawing from Te Matatini’s brand guidelines to craft concepts grounded in pūrākau, te taiao, and taonga—extending the brand’s identity into a rich and culturally resonant digital experience (view Te Hana's visual directions here - make sure to give a thumbs up!)
The feedback from the project team expressed a preference for maintaining alignment with their existing branding. They encouraged us to create more concepts that would better integrate with their established visual identity. In response, I worked closely with our director, Johnson, to develop new design directions that thoughtfully incorporated their tāniko pattern and explored a variety of styles for consideration.
Tāniko: A Symbol of Tradition and Connection
Tāniko, often seen in the uniforms of kapa haka performers, is more than decorative—it carries whakapapa, identity, and intergenerational storytelling. Te Matatini’s use of tāniko in its branding honours this tradition, echoing the patterns worn with pride on stage. By embedding tāniko into its visual identity, Te Matatini acknowledges the deep cultural roots of kapa haka and celebrates the unity, resilience, and artistry passed down through generations.
Feedback
The team strongly resonated with the kākāriki tāniko concept. They appreciated the thoughtful integration of the tāniko pattern across the site, complemented by a vibrant green set against a deep navy backdrop. This colour pairing was seen as a powerful visual metaphor for our origin story —from te pō to te ao mārama. Symbolising a movement from darkness to light, and from potential to enlightenment.
Final Refinements
Once the UI design was finalised we had to come together to refine how the website subtly evolved during the time of their annual kapahaka festival. We communicates actively to generate ways to change the content layout and experience depending on the time. Shown in the image below we presented 3 versions of the website.
Pre-Festival – Highlighted the previous Te Matatini champion and provided access to stream past competitions.
During Festival – Focused on key event details, including ticketing information and daily schedules.
Post-Festival – Celebrated the newly crowned winner and featured streaming access to the most recent festival performances.
The Outcome
Together, we developed a bilingual website that enables the Te Matatini team to confidently create and manage content in both te reo Māori and English. The platform was designed to celebrate their rich legacy while providing a dynamic space to promote the many events, initiatives, and organisations they support. With a focus on accessibility and storytelling, the website allows them to share timely updates, highlight community impact, and reflect the evolving nature of their mahi through engaging news, multimedia, and event coverage. This digital presence not only strengthens their voice online but also reaffirms their role as a cultural leader and advocate for kapa haka in Aotearoa.
Collaborators
William Minty
Te Hana Goodyer
John Moore
Johnson Witehira
Te Matatini Team
Deviate (Web Development)
Directors
John Moore
Johnson Witehira
Client
Te Matatini Society Incorporated
Agency
Indigenous Design and Innovation Aotearoa (IDIA)
