In a unique departure from its usual classroom settings, BLAKE recently brought the immersive ocean experience NZ-VR to Metlifecare villages across Auckland, introducing seniors to the same virtual reality program that has captivated over 107,000 New Zealand students and teachers since 2019.

The journey began with a photography series presented by New Zealand Geographic’s Senior Photographer of the year award winner Simon Runting before attendees donned VR headsets for their first-ever virtual dive into Aotearoa’s underwater world.

Smiles spread as seniors explored New Zealand’s coastlines and marine life from the comfort of their communities.

Through drone footage and underwater imagery from New Zealand’s diverse marine environments, attendees experienced firsthand how this technology engages younger generations in vital conversations about marine reserves, food cycles, and the challenges facing our oceans today.

“The content and technology were received really well, and it’s nice to be able to do something a little different and see how various audiences react to virtual reality and with beautiful content that resonates well with them,” says BLAKE’s CEO James Gibson.

Typically focused on Year 7 and 8 students and teachers, the innovative programme created in partnership with New Zealand geographic demonstrates that the wonders of the marine world and the importance of protecting it, resonates across all generations.