Aotearoa: Contact and Tiriti
Megagame Playtest Experience
Register to play:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSkkEuYLzxy1oBv4sFWwGvRnBHjc3Qh1PF4NbztNWH0fddMA/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Step into a pivotal moment in Aotearoa’s history and take part in a large-scale, interactive experience unlike anything else in Christchurch.
Aotearoa: Contact and Tiriti is a megagame — a hybrid of board game, roleplay, and social simulation — where 20–100 players come together to explore the period of early contact between Māori and Pākehā communities (circa 1820–1860).
What is a Megagame?
Megagames are large, immersive experiences where players work in teams, take on roles, and interact within a shared system that evolves in real time.
You’ll be part of a community navigating a changing world — making decisions, forming alliances, and responding to the actions of others.
Expect a mix of:
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Strategy and resource management
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Negotiation, trade, and diplomacy
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Conflict and cooperation between teams
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Roleplay and decision-making under pressure
No prior experience is needed — the game is designed to be learned as you play.
Get a Feel for the Experience
If you’re new to megagames or want a sense of both the experience and themes, these videos are a great introduction:
What is a megagame like?
Themes and historical context:
The Experience
Players take on roles such as rangatira, tohunga, missionaries, traders, and community leaders during a time of rapid cultural, economic, and technological change.
Working in teams, you will:
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Provide for your population and grow your community
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Trade goods and build relationships with other groups
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Navigate disputes and seek resolution — through diplomacy or conflict
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Respond to shifting population dynamics and new opportunities
Every decision contributes to a shared story that unfolds across the room.
The experience concludes with a facilitated reflection, allowing players to unpack what happened and connect it back to the historical context.
Event Details
Date: Saturday 27 June
Time: 9:00am start (please arrive a little early)
Duration: Approximately 3–5 hours
Location: Climate Action Campus, 180 Avonside Drive
Cost: Free
Age: 14+
Who Should Attend?
This experience is open to:
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Board gamers and strategy enthusiasts
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Roleplayers and creative thinkers
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Students, educators, and history enthusiasts
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Anyone curious to try something different
No prior experience with megagames or roleplaying is required.
Important Notes
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This is a playtest event, and your feedback will help shape the future of the game.
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The experience explores a significant and sometimes sensitive period of Aotearoa’s history and is designed to encourage thoughtful engagement.
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Spaces are limited to 20–100 players. Registrations will close when full or one week prior to the event.