Chosen again by the Otago Regional Council, Effect continues its enduring partnership. This latest project affirms our valued, ongoing collaboration. This time, mana whenua in the Otago region were involved as valued partners in the co-design process.
The challenge was balancing authentic community relations with advancing technological needs and changing user preferences, such as preferring to use mobile devices to visit the website. They needed a robust and integrated system and an empowered communications team. Our task was to make a plan for design and development.
The plan had to meet these diverse needs. We aimed for a solution that would improve connectivity and engagement. It would also enable fast and easy content management with a website design that provides content flexibility.
The goal was a digital experience that resonates with the Otago community, tells the story of ORC and what they do, and reflects the council’s partnership with mana whenua.
Internal feedback revealed the old website's shortcomings in fostering genuine connections with mana whenua. Through face-to-face discussions with ORC and Aukaha (a mana whenua-owned organisation), we shaped our strategy. We prioritised authenticity, weaving Kāi Tahu values and community needs into the project. This approach aimed to bridge gaps and build meaningful relationships. It addressed the website's engagement issues head-on.
Putting the user front and centre, with a clear and intuitive navigation and powerful search functionality.
Otago Regional Council partnered with Aukaha to craft an authentic digital experience no matter what device is being used to view the website. Through co-design and reiterative feedback, they aligned the website with mana whenua values. Effect put in place these values within the digital space. This collaborative approach ensured that we met the needs of the community. The project highlighted cultural authenticity's vital role in technology. ORC's website sets a new standard in partnership – it shows the power of careful planning and an engaged, genuine partnership.
Easy access to critical information and useful features.
Search
The project included the implementation of advanced search capabilities with A-Z navigation and providing a seamless mobile-friendly navigation experience through a responsive side menu. This ensures users can easily find what they are looking for quickly.
Bus section design and navigation
The dedicated Orbus public transport section features enhanced content navigation for an improved user experience, especially on mobile devices. The use of a menu tab bar on mobile gave the Orbus section an app look and feel, meaning people on the go could access key information quickly and intuitively.
Cultural
We integrated top-level bilingual navigational headings provided by mana whenua and included a bilingual toggle for intro text – this helps to reflect ORC’s partnership with mana whenua through the use of te reo Māori. The beautifully designed cultural patterns, designed by Kāi Tahu artist Andre Te Hira via Aukaha, also integrate well with each section of the website, giving it a unique look and feel. Mana whenua provided a whakataukī which embodies the design integration but also serves as an aspiration for ORC. The end result is a warm and welcoming homepage for anyone visiting the website.
Alerts
The project also included integrated alert functionality for critical information, such as river flow (integrated with the Aquatic Informatics Aquarius system) and Civil Defence warnings. Recreational swimming alerts were linked with the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) system, and we implemented customisable generic alerts for different sections, including the Orbus section.
It was such a pleasure to work with Effect on the website redevelopment project. The project ran efficiently, with great communication and attention to detail from the team. The final product aligns with our vision, and the feedback from our users and mana whenua partner has been overwhelmingly positive. We are really pleased with the results and look forward to continuing our relationship with Effect.
Helen Emerson, ORC Project Manager
Outcomes
This project demonstrated the importance of community and cultural authenticity in digital experiences. By prioritising meaningful collaboration and strategic planning with a strong emphasis on community and fantastic user-driven experiences — no matter what device is used — ORC achieved a platform that not only met their needs but also set a precedent for future projects.
ORC made a strategic choice in upgrading and refreshing their website design, blending the comfort of the existing tech stack with a co-designed, modernised appearance. This ensures that ORC now has a future-proofed and flexible platform, capable of integrating new features and functionalities seamlessly as their needs evolve and technology changes.