Kōawa aims to forge partnerships with the creative technology sector including film, sound production, animation, game development, virtual production, and indigenous narrative to provide Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours students with regular access and exposure to industry, supporting them to graduate with the skills these global industries require.
Having identified the increasing convergence of these sectors, the University understands that their continued growth and development hinge on the education and development of future talent for critical industry roles.
Kōawa, a name gifted to us by Ngāi Tahu meaning “watercourse” or “channel”, symbolises a life force, uniting people, passion, and purpose. For students and the creative technology and screen sector, Kōawa employs the water analogy to represent the eco-system within which the worlds of education, industry, and innovation converge.
Kōawa at the University of Canterbury welcomes enquiries from those interested in partnering with the initiatives being developed to cultivate the continued growth of our converged creative technology industries.
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Financial incentives
The Screen CanterburyNZ Production Grant provides just under NZ$1.5 million over the next three years to domestic and international productions that meet eligibility requirements.
The New Zealand Screen Production Grant (NZSPG) for international productions is part of the New Zealand Government’s screen incentives scheme. The baseline international grant is 20% of Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure (QNZPE) up to NZ$25 million.
Applied Immersive Gaming Initiative
HIT Lab NZ welcomes you to its Applied Immersive Gaming Initiative (AIGI)!
AIGI was founded in 2019 with the support of Tertiary Education Commission NZ funding of $3.2 million, alongside University of Canterbury funding of $4.5 million. It's main aim is to accelerate research and public use of immersive gaming applications and to build strong connections with the New Zealand games industry.
Developing innovative immersive gaming applications has a role in improving personal, educational and health-related outcomes. By supporting technical innovation research, AIGI also aims to help address the skills shortage in New Zealand's growing gaming industry.
Explore Waitaha Canterbury
Find a wealth of information about the region thanks to our friends at Screen CanterburyNZ.
