Stories in our Stars

Stories in Our Stars (SIOS) is a world first story time platform for children and adults that provides an immersive 360° experience of our night skies matched with Māori legends of the stars and Navigation.

Stories in Our Stars is a unique 360° natural environment that shares adaptations of New Zealand Māori legends via a series of short time lapse video sequences, captured in iconic astronomical and culturally significant locations across New Zealand. SIOS is narrated in Te Reo and English, accompanied by inspiring compositions. 

During the last 50 years, urbanisation has resulted in higher light pollution, resulting in diminished opportunities to view the night sky. This platform is designed to reduce the gap and share these moments of wonder and awe with the next generations. 

It’s an innovative format that can be replicated across many indigenous cultures, and unlike other Star apps, SIOS harnesses technology to reconnect people with the natural environment and deliberately requires the user to lean back and relax rather than ‘lean in’.

Credits

A project by Flying Saucer, led by Hamish Johnson (Director) and Verity Mackintosh (Creative Producer and Business Development). Created with support from the New Zealand Film Commission.

Daniel Loorparg (Technical and Post Producer), Glen Butler (Astrophotographer), Kath Akuhata-Brown (Story), Lawrence Wharerau (Research & Voiceover), Toni Huata (Vocal), Audio Mix (Underground Sound)