This study introduces a culturally grounded innovation in cognitive health through the co-design and development of brain-training games for kaumātua (older Māori adults; Indigenous people of Aotearoa, New Zealand). Led by Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust with support from The Selwyn Foundation, 42 kaumātua participated in a collaborative design process to create four digital games: He Maumahara (memory), Kupu Whakatau (language), Te Wairua Kanikani (movement), and Haerenga ki Te Whakakotahi (puzzle), aimed at enhancing holistic wellbeing, digital inclusion, and cognitive resilience. Guided by Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview) values alongside neuroscientific principles, each game was designed to stimulate specific cognitive domains (executive function, memory, attention, and motor coordination) while embedding Māori language, imagery, and storytelling. Evaluation results revealed positive outcomes across five areas: hauora (wellbeing), mana motuhake (identity), cognitive function, reduction in loneliness, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. Qualitative feedback highlighted increased mental stimulation, cultural pride, and strengthened family connections. The co-creation process also enhanced staff skills and fostered academic partnerships, providing a foundation for wider application. While challenges such as digital literacy gaps and limited resources emerged, these were mitigated through capacity building and iterative design. This kaupapa Māori initiative presents a novel, culturally embedded model for gerontechnology, positioning kaumātua as co-creators of knowledge and demonstrating how Indigenous-led, participatory design can advance equitable and culturally responsive ageing innovations.

Authors:
Rangimahora Reddy, Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, New Zealand
Mary Simpson, University of Waikato, New Zealand
John Oetzel, University of Waikato, New Zealand
Pare Meha, Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, New Zealand
Shobana Reddy, Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, New Zealand
Krishna Reddy, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, New Zealand

About the Presenter(s)
Shobana Mangamma Awhina Reddy is currently a Systems Innovator at Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, NZ. She is currently focussed on projects targeted at dementia and frailty prevention in the older population.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobana-reddy-a218a616b

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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