Metia Interactive

Metia Interactive is an award-winning game design and development studio based in Auckland, New Zealand, founded in 2003 by Managing Director Maru Nihoniho. For over 20 years, Metia has been committed to creating inclusive and accessible games and interactive experiences that weave together universal themes with authentic representations of Indigenous Māori culture. Our goal is to deliver meaningful experiences with strong cultural foundations and unique stories to tell. Metia’s first published title was Cube™, a puzzle game for the PlayStation Portable, published worldwide in 2007 by D3Publisher of America. Metia was also behind the development of SPARX, an award-winning self-help e-therapy tool that teaches young people key skills to help combat depression and anxiety. SPARX is available free online through the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project and received international recognition, including the United Nations World Summit Award and the UNESCO Netexplo Award. In addition to original game development, Metia designs and develops interactive experiences across multiple platforms, including mobile, online, console, and VR. We work with high-end engines such as Unreal and Unity, alongside web technologies including HTML5, WebGL, and cloud-based solutions to bring creative visions to life. We also work closely with clients, educators, and Iwi to develop culturally grounded educational apps and interactive storytelling experiences, helping bring Indigenous stories and kaupapa to life for new audiences. Metia is available for contract development, supporting projects from concept through to deployment across a range of digital platforms.