Wonder Wai Discovery Centre for Watercare
The Wonder Wai Discovery Centre is an interactive learning space that helps visitors understand Auckland’s water and wastewater systems, and the role they play in everyday life.
Originally created to educate the public about the Central Interceptor project, the Discovery Centre had been operating for nearly five years. Watercare and lead agency Curious Nation set out to completely reimagine the space.
The brief
Curious Nation engaged Satellite to help deliver a set of digital experiences explaining Auckland’s water journey, from sky to sea. The applications needed to have durability (ideally another 5 years), have the ability to be supported remotely and ideally built within the Unity Framework.
The experiences needed to have a variety of gameplay to keep audiences captivated and appeal to both young and old. They also needed to have a strong water literacy aspect where education was as important as fun.
The solution
Satellite delivered six interactive digital applications within the Wonder Wai Discovery Centre. Our role included co-designing and developing interactive games and experiences, and building real-time applications across touchscreen, AR, and web platforms. Satellite sourced, configured and installed all supporting hardware where needed, and was responsible for onsite deployment and testing.
The experiences
Raindrop Rescue
A touchscreen game presented on a 65” portrait display, Raindrop Rescue is a speed-and-accuracy experience that encourages quick reactions and repeat play. The game reinforces key ideas around rainfall, catchments, and water movement in an engaging, easy-to-understand format.
Dam Builder
Dam Builder is an 85” touchscreen building game that allows visitors to choose materials and placement on a map to construct a dam. The experience introduces core concepts around water supply infrastructure through hands-on interaction.
Waterwise Game
The Waterwise Game is a quiz-based touchscreen experience that focuses on water conservation and everyday behaviours. Through simple questions and immediate feedback, the game supports Watercare’s water-saving education goals.
What Not to Flush
A fast-paced interactive experience combining physical and digital elements. The installation features two circular screens with external buttons. Red for "Don’t Flush" and Green for "Do Flush". Players are shown an item on screen and must quickly select the correct option. One unit runs in English, with a second presented in Te Reo Māori, supporting inclusive and bilingual engagement.
Treat to Sea
Treat to Sea is an augmented reality experience that explains how wastewater is treated before being returned to the ocean. Using a tablet, visitors view AR video content over a physical map, helping visualise the treatment process in a clear and accessible way.
Auckland Water Infrastructure Map
An interactive digital map that allows visitors to explore Watercare’s water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Auckland. The web-based experience provides geographic context and helps demonstrate the scale and reach of the region’s water infrastructure.
Outcome
The Wonder Wai Discovery Centre demonstrates how thoughtfully designed digital interactives can transform technical subject matter into engaging public experiences.
By blending play, education, and technology, the centre encourages curiosity, understanding, and more informed water behaviours and supporting Watercare’s mission through immersive digital storytelling.
Credits
Client: Watercare
Lead Agency & Experience Design: Curious Nation
Interactive Application Design & Development: Satellite
Photography: Shaun Ross
In this project
Satellite sourced and installed all hardware required to support all the digital experiences, providing the following services:
- Satellite Tag
- Unity App Development (interactive games)
- Android Development (augmented reality application)
- Web technologies (interactive map)
- Live Experience Technology
- Embedded Devices
- Hardware Install, onsite deployment and support
