Maher holds a PhD in Virtual Reality and at the workshops shows the eager Māori ICT students how his software processes LiDAR generated by 3D scanners into optimised 3D data representations that can be experienced in virtual reality.Ī HTC Vive is then set up at the workshops to allow workshop attendees to walk inside models of the marae and several other structures that have been scanned. The other half of PCV, Co-founder and Director, Dr Maher Hatab, has developed PCV’s technology. Rangatahi get fascinated by that and want to learn more.” “The workshops are a great way to show what the scanners can do. We want to help change that because we think innovation and technology are important for Māori to get into,” said Co-founder of PointCloud Visualisation Limited, Toko Kapea. “We know rangatahi Māori are early adopters of new and emerging technologies, and are incredibly savvy operators of those technologies however, this hasn’t transferred into seeing more Māori working in the technology industry. It was amazing.”Ĭaption: Co-founder of PointCloud Visualisation, Toko Kapea. “Instead of putting on googles to go diving for kina you were diving for knowledge to fill up your mind. Kura describes the experience of putting on the virtual reality googles for the first time as 'mind blowing’. “Rather than sitting on the floor looking up, we could look directly at a particular design in the poupou, tukutuku or kōwhaiwhai panel through the 3D models to tell the story of our meeting house.” “This was our opportunity to communicate our history through technology,” says Waiwhetu Marae Chairman, Kura Moeahu. Since receiving Ka Hao funding support PCV has been able to apply the technology to the scanning of marae, creating models that will stand as robust digital records of these structures.Īmong the marae that have been scanned include Te Tumu Herenga Waka (Victoria University of Wellington) and Waiwhetu in Lower Hutt. These 3D representations can then be experienced in virtual reality (VR). the “point clouds” generated by 3D scanners) into 3D visuals or models. PointCloud Visualisation Limited (PCV) has a unique software that can quickly and accurately (up to 1mm) render large sets of digital data (i.e. List of advice received by the Minister for Whānau Ora List of advice received by the Associate Minister for Māori Development List of advice received by the Minister for Māori Development