Google New Zealand Blog

Celebrating the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in today’s Doodle

Saturday, February 6, 2021

Today, as we collectively recognise the 1840 signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Google New Zealand’s Doodle depicts Te Whare Rūnanga - an important landmark of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds - in acknowledgement of Waitangi Day.

Nestled in the far northern Bay of Islands, surrounded by 140 subtropical islands, Waitangi stands out both for its beauty and for the history it carries for Aotearoa. These grounds are often referred to as “Te Pito Whenua, The Birthplace of our Nation” in reference to the site where New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Upon this significant place, standing proudly is Te Whare Rūnanga (the House of Assembly) which, alongside the Treaty House, is representative of the partnership between Māori and the British Crown.

Opened on the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi as a place to bring people together for important hui (meetings), visitors from all over New Zealand and the world have come to gather at and observe the Whare as one of the most important historical sites for Aotearoa. The unique carvings and intricate tukutuku panels in the Whare design represent Māori throughout Aotearoa as it brings together the stories and styles of all Iwi (tribes), and thus showcases a completely unique gallery of Māori art, as well as an example of Māori social and cultural life.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds Cultural Manager Mori Rapana was consulted throughout the Doodle design process and said, “In Māori culture, the structure itself is seen as an outstretched body, with the roof’s apex at the front of the house representing the ancestor’s head. The main ridge beam represents the backbone, the diagonal bargeboards which lead out from the roof are the arms and the lower ends of the bargeboards divide to represent fingers. Inside, the centre pole is seen as the heart, the rafters reflect the ancestor’s ribs, and the interior is the ancestor’s chest and stomach.”

I interpret the lines on either side of the green base as representing hands holding up the Whare and thus bringing us as a nation together. The flicks on either side of the whare to me represent a bird spreading its wings, and the outline of the drawing to represent the wings of a kite - which in Māori culture is what brought the East and the West coast together.”

Kiwis all over New Zealand can also take a journey through the Waitangi Treaty Grounds today, through Inside the Treaty Grounds, a digital experience on Google Arts and Culture. Captured in 2017 in partnership with CyArk, to celebrate and share the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Kiwis and those abroad alike can learn and explore more about this historic site. On mobile devices, searching for “Waitangi Treaty Grounds” brings up an AR experience that allows you to view the Meeting House in your own space.

Search on mobile device for 'Waitangi Treaty Grounds' to view in your space

Together with our partners, we’re privileged to help celebrate and preserve the Waitangi Treaty Grounds through technology, to share this history and culture with the world.

Posted by Caroline Rainsford, Country Director Google New Zealand.

New Zealand’s Top Trending Videos & Creators for 2020

Monday, December 14, 2020

As The World Changed, This Is What You Were Watching

Startling unsuspecting bystanders with perfect Chinese pronunciation. Global news outlets marvelling at New Zealand’s COVID response. An astonishing time lapse of productivity to build an underground house.

While 2020 may have been a little different to what we expected, Kiwis sought escapism and humour in what they chose to watch on YouTube.

As the world changed in unimaginable ways, we looked to creators and artists to help us make sense of these shifts, find wonder, and expand our boundaries beyond the four walls of our homes.

We love to check out how we’re seen internationally; Australia’s TODAY gave a Kiwi truck driver hero recognition; CNN reviewed our COVID-19 response; and CaspianReport put us in the centre of a power play.

While we weren’t able to travel overseas, we still looked for escapism outside our borders and when audiences sought out sources of levity, creators provided no shortage of options: MrBeast set some heartwarming challenges; Mr Tfue orchestrated a remarkable underground pool build and global breakout star Tiko’s unique music was a hit.

Also included among this year’s top trending videos: Kiwi creator Torrell Tafa surprised people with perfect Samoan in South Auckland and ZHC showed off his creativity. While engagement was up across YouTube, these 10 videos resonated with Kiwi viewers the most. Collectively, they were watched more than 586 million times and the channels behind them total more than 33 million subscribers.

Year in Search: Kiwis Top Trending Searches for 2020 Revealed

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

From banana bread to Bloomfield and Benee, this year’s top trending searches show what puzzled, intrigued and entertained us this year.

People come to Google Search for help in moments big and small billions of times a day - whether it’s to ask what is matariki, to find the lyrics to Kiwi Jawsh685’s Savage Love or understand antifa. Which is why, for the past 20 years, Google’s annual Year in Search moment has provided a window into the cultural zeitgeist.

So let’s take this moment as a time for reflection, and look at some of the themes that defined 2020 for Kiwis:

Staying home and figuring it out

As Alert Levels and Dr Ashley Bloomfield became part of our everyday vernacular, we quickly became adjusted to the new language of a pandemic, in understanding lockdown restrictions and how best to protect ourselves. We made face masks and hand sanitizer, and as we stayed home and faced job uncertainty, we looked to Work and Income for support. We relied on the Ministry of Health as knowledge became power in understanding the pandemic. We also discovered new ways to continue to work and learn online, through productivity and learning tools like Zoom, Seesaw and Education Perfect.

Culinary curiosity, but make it simple

Kiwis searched for “easy recipes” more than most other countries in March, reflecting either a newfound vigour or fear for the home cooking adventure of lockdown. Putting all the flour to good use, baked goods were king - hot cross buns, scones and pancakes all popular options. Naan and butter chicken were the more interesting savoury fare. Perhaps showing the limited runs to the supermarket, we also wanted to know how to make buttermilk and self raising flour. Chelsea Winter was an inspiration as was a plant based diet. And to counter earlier indulgences we wanted to know how to lose weight...fast.

Kiwis supporting Kiwis

In a year when many businesses faced tough times, Kiwis searched for "shop local" and "small business" more than we have for a decade. We showed greater interest in the economic market with NZX50 and Sharesies both trending. Homegrown talent piqued our interest as they made their mark overseas; Taika Waititi kept us entertained (at home) during lockdowns, Benee performed on a global stage, and Israel Adesanya, appearing on the trending Kiwis list for the second year in a row, showed his prowess in MMA fighting internationally. And in true Kiwi style, sporting heroes Lydio Ko, Ross Taylor and Dan Carter broke through.

Politically Engaged

Once we figured out how to vote, Kiwis showed their civic engagement with strong interest in our local election and the political figures who defined our election race. We were also following events happening worldwide closely, with international politicians making up half of the public figures on New Zealand’s list of trending international faces, and ‘US Election Results’ making it to second place of the Overall Trending Searches list.

More than ever, New Zealand’s top trending searches reflect a year of seeking new information, understanding and awareness of the world around us.

Overall Trending Searches:

Coronavirus
US Election Results
Zoom
SeeSaw
Kobe Bryant
Ministry of Health
Education Perfect
Work and Income
Naya Rivera
Sharesies

News Events:

Coronavirus
US Election Results
Australia fires
Election Results NZ
Nzx50
Iran
Italy Coronavirus
Beirut
Level 2
Iowa Caucus

Kiwi Celebs:

Hayley Holt
Israel Adesanya
Ashley Bloomfield
Lydia Ko
David Bain
Taika Waititi
Chelsea Winter
Benee
Dan Carter
Ross Taylor

Global Figures:

Kim Jong Un
Donald Trump
Boris Johnson
Joe Biden
Tom Hanks
Elon Musk
Joe Exotic
Kamala Harris
Carole Baskin
Kanye West

New Zealand Politicians:

Todd Muller
Jacinda Ardern
Judith Collins
Simon Bridges
Chloe Swarbrick
David Clark
Andrew Falloon
David Seymour
Winston Peters

How To:

How to make a face mask?
How to make hand sanitizer?
How to vote NZ?
How to lose weight fast?
How to make buttermilk?
How to make pancakes?
How to make self raising flour?
How to make naan bread?
How to make bread?
How to use Zoom?

What is:

What is Coronavirus?
What is the name of the Kingdom in Tangled?
What is Level 2?
What is a pandemic?
What is Matariki?
What is the time?
What is a simp?
What is buttermilk?
What is 5g?
What is antifa?

Loss:

Kobe Bryant
George Floyd
Chadwick Boseman
Caroline Flack
Sushant Singh Rajpu
Kenny Rogers
Kelly Preston
Eddie Van Halen
Sean Connery
Rishi Kapoor

Recipe:

Hot cross bun
Scone
Banana bread
Bread
Naan bread
Banana cake
Carrot cake
Butter chicken
Ciabatta
Pancake

Sporting Events:

India vs New Zealand
All Blacks vs Australia
NRL
EPL
Champions League
IPL
Australia Open 2020
Super Rugby 2020
Mitre 10 Cup
French Open

Post content Posted by Carrie Jones, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Google New Zealand.

New Zealand Blog

Celebrating the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in today’s Doodle

New Zealand’s Top Trending Videos & Creators for 2020

Year in Search: Kiwis Top Trending Searches for 2020 Revealed

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