Helping transform the way people engage with Government.

Creating a navigational structure that 
supports different user needs.

Driven by audience insight and validation, the new solution delivers an experience that enables users to navigate content in different ways, depending on their needs. 

The content structure allows a more dynamic engagement where content can be filtered across several variables (e.g. by priority, by mode of transport, by advocacy area). 

The navigational structure also considers two very different levels of content needs — for users with either a browse or a search mindset. 

The navigation allows expert users to find specific content and provide casual users with visibility of content they may not be aware of – and pathways to facilitate their engagement.

Bilingual functionality across multiple content layers.

A critical feature within the design was the bilingual functionality that supports the Ministry’s established Hei Arataki Māori strategy.

Hallmarks of this design include the hierarchy of content being re-defined with Te Reo Māori emphasised and a strong alignment of the Tikanga expression to support the established kaupapa strategy. 

The bilingual content design ensures content works side-by-side. Bringing greater prominence to Māori context, aiding audience comprehension and ensuring its placement supports the need to keep Te Reo Māori front and centre as an official language of Aotearoa.

Enhancing the brand design system for a digital environment.

The brand guidelines we inherited were essentially established for offline applications and did not meet the accessibility or contrast standards required for a digital environment.

This limitation is often the case for our clients and our approach in this instance was to work with the Ministry to enhance the brand toolkit to a more appropriate and flexible design system – to meet the needs of the digital platform. 

Translating the brand to digital meant the application of visual design elements including typography, colour palette and imagery all had to be re-considered. The core logo identity was retained.

The revised visual design system helped establish a renewed tone of voice and better support interaction decisions to enhance the user experience. 

Additionally, we worked closely with the Hei Arataki strategy team to ensure that we applied the Tikanga expression appropriately – and that all the design elements were optimised for a bilingual audience.  

Seamless experience for users and an efficient 
platform for the organisation.

Launched in November 2020, the site sets a new benchmark in how users are able to engage with a central Government Ministry. 

The new platform provides consistent design structures that create efficiency, simple interactions across core content that supports distinct user types, compelling data visualisations and consultation functionality. 

Critically it has been designed to be an effective and extensible bi-lingual solution that places rightful prominence to Te Ao Māori. 

The platform will provide users with a simple, seamless experience across a platform that will provide enduring value to the Ministry of Transport.