Rapua te Marama—“seek the moon” in te reo Māori—is a project that exists as both a book and an immersive experience, informed by the wider Rapua te Mārama COVID-19 study led by the Te Ārai Research Group. The publication brings together a series of pūrākau (stories) drawn from real whānau experiences during COVID-19, particularly around death, tangihanga, and bereavement during lockdowns. The book is organised into seasonal chapters, echoing cycles of Marama (moon/light), with each section presented as a ‘gallery’ that carries a distinct iconography and atmospheric tone.

The printed book acts as a portal, activating a sensory experience that allows the audience to step into and feel these narratives through photographs taken by Māori photographers across New Zealand. Beyond the page, the project extends into an immersive environment, where light, sound, and spatial elements deepen the encounter, allowing the user to navigate through different galleries defined by New Zealand native flowers and trees related to each season. The VR experience responds to disruptions to tangihanga (funeral practices) and acts as a space for reflection, remembrance, and healing for those who lost whānau (family) during this time.