Immersive Gaming in the GLAM Sector
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua and HIDDEN have announce a new strategic partnership that will help promote local stories on the global stage by using HIDDEN’s innovative digital storytelling platform.
By combining the virtual and physical element in a unique blend of fun and exploration, HIDDEN games will enable visitors to multiple locations in New Zealand to discover Māori culture and heritage through interactive, engaging experiences.
HIDDEN, a fast-growing Singapore-based social enterprise specialising in immersive games, has received a significant investment from Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua as part of their joint efforts to create innovative ways for visitors to learn about and deepen their connection with Māori heritage through new interactive experiences in New Zealand.
Under this agreement, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua will receive equity in privately-held HIDDEN and hold a director position in the Singapore company’s board of directors.
In return, HIDDEN will set up an office in New Zealand, with funding committed to hiring a local team in the country to develop interactive experiences based on the company’s award-winning game engine.
Since 2022, HIDDEN has drawn on its strengths in storytelling, game design and technology to engage audiences through immersive experiences. Over the years, the company’s unique chatbot-led games have won multiple awards, including the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2023 and 2024.
“We are excited to not just collaborate with HIDDEN but invest in its future as a strategic partner that will bring innovative ideas to promote Māori culture and heritage to a global audience,” said Hayden Hape, Chair, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tamaki nui a Rua Taiwhenua.
“As custodians of our traditions, we are keen to work with a groundbreaking company that has demonstrated expertise in helping people tell their own stories in their own way. We are excited to also give domestic and international visitors to our country the opportunity to personally engage directly with our culture,” he added.
