The University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau is a place for all of Aotearoa. For people of different backgrounds and cultures. A place of diverse viewpoints, aspirations and ideas. Understanding that every University is shaped by the people who pass through it, they wanted a way to share the stories of these people and connect them permanently to the University.

Tukutuku is a traditional Māori art form, where panels are woven together. Every Tukutuku panel tells a story of history, people and place. A story passed down from generation to generation.

Ao Tukupū is a living, breathing digital Tukutuku that weaves together the worlds of all those who pass through the university, binding their stories together forever in time.

In this interactive digital experience, every student, alumni, and academic, can record their own story through our website or app. These audio files are then transformed into digital ‘threads’ that are woven into the Tukutuku. Each voice is one notch.

This Tukutuku pattern can grow infinitely and will become a permanent record of the lives that have been woven into the story of the University. It will live forever as a significant digital taonga, inspiring future generations to come.