This project addresses real-world challenges at Piritahi Marae, utilizing design as a tool for social responsibility and problem-solving. Our research identified two distinct but interconnected issues: a significant gap in visitor cultural knowledge and a strained local workforce. To address both, we designed A Guide to Marae Customs and Protocols—a self-contained, printable booklet. By empowering visitors to navigate protocols on their own, we created a tool that educates the public while immediately reducing the demand on the local hosts.

​

We wanted a sustainable solution to be as effortless as possible for the Marae community. The booklet is a ready-to-use resource that requires zero additional labor; since the files are ready to print. Ultimately, this project was about more than aesthetics; it was about providing a practical, design-led solution to preserve a community's time and cultural integrity. (This project was developed in collaboration with a fellow student).