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HomeExpo 2020 DubaiThe New Zealand Pavilion is inspired by the Maori value of ‘kaitiakitanga’

The New Zealand Pavilion is inspired by the Maori value of ‘kaitiakitanga’

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The New Zealand Pavilion has conducted a traditional dawn ritual to dedicate the pavilion’s ‘mauri’, or life-force, the central part of the pavilion’s visitor experience, one day before the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dawn Ceremony at the New Zealand Pavilion
Dawn Ceremony at the New Zealand Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Mahmoud Khaled/Expo 2020 Dubai)

The ceremony, performed by Whanganui Iwi tribal members who travelled from New Zealand, began outside the pavilion with the blowing of the conch shell, followed by calls of acknowledgement of interconnectedness with the natural and spiritual realms.

Dawn Ceremony at the New Zealand Pavilion
Dawn Ceremony at the New Zealand Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Mahmoud Khaled/Expo 2020 Dubai)

There were chants and incantations throughout the exhibition space, as the group walked from room to room. Lending a local touch to the ceremony, Emirati cultural troupes welcomed New Zealand to Expo 2020.

The New Zealand Pavilion is inspired by the Maori value of ‘kaitiakitanga’, which celebrates the kinship between life, people and the environment.

Dawn Ceremony at the New Zealand Pavilion
Dawn Ceremony at the New Zealand Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Mahmoud Khaled/Expo 2020 Dubai)

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Julie Nguyen
Julie Nguyen
Julie is the visionary founder of SNAP TASTE and a dynamic force in global storytelling, innovation and creative leadership. She is a respected member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and serves as a judge for the CES Innovation Awards (2024, 2025 and 2026), where she contributes thought leadership on the intersections of business, culture and breakthrough technologies. As Managing Director, she also oversees the Fine Art, Digital Art, Portfolios and Marketing departments, ensuring the brand’s strategic vision and creative direction are realized across disciplines. Her immersive reporting has brought audiences behind the scenes of global milestones such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai, CES, D23 Expo, and the Milano Monza Motor Show, offering exclusive access to moments that define contemporary culture. An accomplished film critic and editorial voice, Julie is also recognized for her compelling reviews of National Geographic documentaries and other cinematic works. Her ability to combine analytical depth with narrative finesse inspires audiences seeking intelligent, meaningful, and globally relevant content. With a multidisciplinary perspective that bridges art, technology, and culture, Julie continues to shape the dialogue on how storytelling and innovation converge to influence the way we experience the world.
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