Maruhaeremuri Eva Nihoniho (MNZM)

Background

​

 

I founded Metia Interactive in 2003 and I lead a team of developers that include artists and programmers.  As well as designing and developing my own games I also produce 3rd party games both commercial and non-commercial titles across multiple platforms including Apple iOS, Android and PC.

​

 

As a games designer and producer my focus is on indigenous storytelling as culture-based games are hugely influential and are a powerful outlet for engagement and learning.  I have published several Māori games, Sparx, to teach rangatahi how to manage depression, Māori Pā Wars, a strategic tower defense game, Tākaro to teach rangatahi about coding concepts and Guardian Maia, interactive fiction that follows the journey of a Māori woman through a dystopian New Zealand.

​

 

My goal is to deliver games that are meaningful, that feature strong cultural themes with unique stories to tell.  I aim to tell these stories with an authentic indigenous voice.

 

I have completed a Master of Applied Practice - Technological Futures through Tech Futures Lab and Unitec.  The aim was to get an in-depth understanding of converging and emerging technologies, how disruption will change current platforms and to be prepared for future platforms.  Technology changes fast and you either adapt and keep up or get left behind.  

 

I was awarded Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit on 20 October 2016 for services to gaming and mental health.

 

Under Ms Nihoniho’s leadership Metia developed SPARX, an educational tool to help young people combat depression. SPARX was developed in conjunction with researchers from the University of Auckland and is an animated 3D game where young people learn life skills to combat depression by completing challenges based on proven cognitive behaviour therapies. The game has been proven to have a significant positive impact on young people aged 12 to 19 years. SPARX has won several awards including the 2011 United Nations World Summit Awards in the e-Health and Environment category. SPARX was developed as a New Zealand-specific tool with culturally specific elements, but since its release SPARX has been localised for the Netherlands and Australia.

​

In 2017, I was awarded the MCV Pacific Women in Games - The Gamechangers Award for Innovator of the year 
presented by Microsoft Xbox.  

​

In 2017, I received the Māori Entrepreneurial Leader Award from the University of Auckland Business Leaders Awards. 
The award recognises a person who is building a successful business and through that is a role model for other Māori.

 

In 2018, I was named as Forbes Top 50 Women in Technology. The 2018 Inaugural Top 50 Women In Technology lists identify three generations of forward-thinking technologists leading more than a dozen tech sectors across the globe.

 

In 2019, I was awarded the Te Maunga Kai Kapua (Tuakana), Industry Pillar Pav award. This award goes to a stalwart industry pillar in the New Zealand community who has raised the profile and helped build the national industry into what it is today.

My company Metia Interactive has won multiple awards for our games.

• Cube, special mention in the UN World Summit Award

• Sparx, UN World Summit Award 

• Sparx, UNESCO Netexplo Award

• Tākaro, Finalist Serious Games Showcase and Challenge

• Guardian Maia, Diverse Delight Award

• Guardian Maia Sound Design, Best Awards, Designer Institute NZ

 

Professional Experience

​

Game Development

• Games Designer and Producer 

• Interactive Designer

• Graphics Designer

• Storyteller

 

Manager

• Managing Director

• Taking care of all aspects of the business

• Responsible for the company's performance

• Implements strategies

• Team management

 

Producer

• Project budgets, schedules and resources.

• Produce resources to timely and successful project completion.

• Identify and lead internal/external development team members

• Manage all facets of release process, including creation of marketing materials to support 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with developers, licensors and consultants

• Source ideas and draft proposals consisting of concept documents, development plans, 

​

​