A new generation of innovative young Māori are forging exciting career opportunities in the creative industries contributing to the innovation economy.

Computer game developer Maru Nihoniho (Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou) is representative of this emerging Māori talent base.

Maru’s passion for gaming began as a youngster. After 10 years working in the hospitality industry she completed a Diploma of Multi-media and soon after decided to transform her love of computer games into a business venture.

"I read in a Te Puni Kōkiri report that Māori contribution to the economy is huge from Māori entrepreneurs to Māori businesses so I thought well I want to be part of that," says Maru, pictured opposite.

Maru established Metia Interactive in 2003, a computer game and intellectual property development company based in Auckland.

Metia Interactive launched their first game, Cube, for the Sony PlayStation Portable market earlier this year in America and it is now available worldwide.

"Knowing who I am and where I come from, and just being Māori, is an advantage in this relatively new industry because you need to be grounded in your culture when you are participating on a world stage," says Maru.

Cube was chosen as one of eight New Zealand projects entered in the 2007 World Summit Awards (WSA) to be held in Venice this month. WSA is a global initiative to select and promote the world’s best e-content.

"I’m humbled and privileged to be chosen for the awards. Knowing that someone recognises your work is a huge honour," says Maru.

Metia Interactive is also working on The Guardian, a futuristic action adventure, and other exciting new game ideas for the PlayStation and Xbox.

Māia, a wahine toa, is the main character of The Guardian and unlike Lara Croft the raider of tombs Māia is the protector of ancient taonga.

Maru is working with the production company Film Factory to develop the concept into not only a game, but also a big-budget feature film.

Maru’s message to rangatahi aspiring to be involved in computer gaming is simple. "You have to make the choice to want to do this and have the passion to do it," she says.

"There are clear pathways to follow that start at school. If you want to be a programmer stick with maths, science and computing. For the creative side of gaming, stick with art classes, technical drawing and computing."

For more information or to contact Maru visit: www.metia.co.nz