The first Maori emoji keyboard has gone viral before its release, as green tiki and other Maori culture symbols are set to replace the universal yellow smiley face.
Emotiki, a 150-character emoji app for smart phones featuring uniquely Maori icons ranging from hangi and waka ama to Maori Wardens and kete, will tap into the world's fastest growing language.
Launched two weeks ago to tourism trade by Rotorua visitor attraction Te Puia, Emotiki will be available for download mid-July but it's already widely anticipated, according to Te Puia sales and marketing general manager Kiri Atkinson-Crean.
"We are absolutely blown away by the social media response we've experienced ... on ex-pat sites, and even at the Washington Embassy. It's just gone everywhere."
Mrs Atkinson-Crean said the idea to create Maori emoji came from watching kapa haka competitors celebrating their performances on social media using standard emoticons.
"I thought how cool would it be if they had something which was more relevant to their own culture."
Te Puia worked with an illustrator and graphic designer to come up with the characters including the green tiki.
"We wanted to create a unique New Zealand equivalent that represents Maori and Kiwi culture."
Included in the keyboard is a broad range of emotions, sports, situations, foods and icons that are familiar to or have been made famous by Maori.
They include waka ama (outrigger canoe), piupiu (flax skirts), kapa haka moves and faces, kete (woven basket/bag), taiaha (weapon), whanau (family) and even delicacies such as koura (crayfish), paua (abalone), eels and hangi, among others.
"I'm sure everyone will have their own favourites, but I expect that the emotiki equivalent to the famous 'smiley face' icon will be a big hit."
Mrs Atkinson-Crean said Maori elders shown the Emotiki supported the concept while an "overwhelming" number of youngsters were excited about the upcoming release.
The app will be free to download for iPhone and android and available through app stores.
"We made it free on purpose because we want everyone to use them. We want them to be as accessible with as few barriers as possible and they'll be available on all platforms."
