This thesis explores the integration of kaupapa Māori principles into Virtual Reality (VR) environments, focusing on collaboration with virtual agents within Human Computer Interaction (HCI) research. Kaupapa Māori, as an indigenous knowledge system, and kaupapa Māori research, as an indigenous methodology, offer a cultural lens through which the design and implementation of VR technologies can enhance user engagement, foster inclusive design, and address the grand challenges in HCI identified by Stephanidis et al. (2019). The research is motivated by a gap in existing literature regarding the effects of incorporating kaupapa Māori into the design of Virtual Reality (VR) environments with collaborative virtual agents.

Through a qualitative user study, this thesis investigates how kaupapa Māori interventions influence engagement with a virtual agent, and assesses the implications for inclusive design from a kaupapa Māori perspective. The study was structured around three primary research aims: 1) to investigate kaupapa Māori interventions in VR, 2) to use these interventions to prime engagement when collaborating with a virtual agent, and 3) to contribute to inclusive design principles informed by kaupapa Māori.

Key findings reveal that kaupapa Māori interventions, particularly those inspired by pōwhiri (the Māori welcoming ceremony) and whakapapa (genealogy), can impact users’ sense of welcome and connection, and encourage engagement within the virtual environment. While the interventions aimed at priming engagement presented subtle effects, they underscored the complexity of designing meaningful interaction in VR. Furthermore, the study highlights the critical role of cultural perspectives and practices, as provided through wānanga, in the development of culturally informed inclusive design.

The research contributes to Human Computer Interaction (HCI) by demonstrating the potential of indigenous knowledge systems to enrich digital environments, providing novel insights into influencing user engagement and motivation, and expanding the discourse on culturally informed technology design. This thesis advocates for the inclusion of kaupapa Māori and other indigenous epistemologies in the broader field of HCI, suggesting that such integration not only addresses current challenges within the discipline but also paves the way for more accessible, equitable, and culturally resonant technological innovations.