Guardians of Matariki: Evaluating the VisionOS for Māori Storytelling

Abstract

This exegesis presents the design, development, and internal evaluation of Guardians of Matariki, a spatial storytelling prototype for Mixed Reality, developed specifically for the Apple Vision Pro (AVP). The project addresses the research question: How can immersive spatial storytelling enhance users' engagement with Māori culture through a Mixed Reality application? Centred on the Matariki star cluster, the prototype explores how cultural content can be communicated through varying levels of immersive interaction. A structured methodology was applied using the Research Onion model. The research philosophy combined interpretivism, pragmatism, and kaupapa Māori to support culturally grounded, reflective development. The approach employed abductive reasoning and Design-Based Research (DBR) within a mixed methods framework, with qualitative and quantitative self-assessment, journaling, and heuristic walkthroughs used for data collection and analysis. Three levels of immersion were developed and evaluated: a 2D windowed interface, a 3D volumetric interface, and a full space immersive environment. NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) were used to assess cognitive load, usability, and engagement. Results indicated that increasing spatial immersion correlated with enhanced narrative embodiment, reduced cognitive load, and improved cultural clarity. The development process followed an Agile (SCRUM) sprint structure, using tools such as Reality Composer Pro, Xcode, SwiftUI, and Meshy AI. Culturally aligned UX heuristics and Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines informed design decisions. Limitations include the absence of external user testing and co-design due to time and hardware constraints. All findings reflect internal evaluation and are not generalisable. This study contributes to Indigenous digital storytelling, spatial computing, and immersive design. It demonstrates a culturally responsive method for developing immersive applications and proposes a foundation for future work involving user collaboration, cross-platform delivery, and expanded narrative design.