Augmented Reality Project
A partnership exploring freshwater ecology along the Pūharakekenui | Styx River
Through this project, we are testing how immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experiences can help people better understand, value, and care for our freshwater environments. By blending digital storytelling with real-world locations along the Pūharakekenui | Styx River, the project explores whether interactive experiences can foster empathy for the non-human species who depend on the river for survival.
This initiative has been developed in collaboration with Lincoln University, with leadership from Associate Professor Gillian Lawson.
Project Leader:
Associate Professor Gillian Lawson
Lincoln University
📧 Email available on request
Please contact the Project Leader if you have any questions about this project or about how your information will be used.
Acknowledgements
This project has been generously supported by the Waitaha Action to Impact Fund, enabling us to create locally-grounded resources that highlight the ecological importance of the Styx catchment.
Special thanks to:
Gillian Lawson — Project Lead
Tristram Johnson — Audio Production
Minhesh Samarapala — Site Photography
Tristram Johnson & Chloe D’Arcy — AR Story Narration
David Beck & Samantha Harding — Project Support
We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their skills, creativity, and time to making this work possible.
Have Your Say
We’re currently evaluating how effective these AR experiences are in helping visitors understand and care for freshwater environments. Your feedback will help us refine future experiences and inform research into how storytelling influences attitudes toward environmental protection.
If you are 18 years or older, we invite you to take part in a short, 10-minute online survey (16 questions):
Tell us what you think
All responses are anonymous and confidential. Data may be used in future academic publications or conference presentations, but no individual will ever be identifiable.
If you have any concerns about participating, the Project Leader will be happy to discuss them with you.
Explore the AR Experiences
Below are the interactive AR scenes created for the project. You can tap each hotspot to learn about freshwater species, ecological challenges, and conservation actions along the Pūharakekenui | Styx River.
