【Super Virgin (2012)】

For awhile there,Super Virgin (2012) it seemed like there was a dearth of apps for New Zealand's Māori to express themselves digitally.

But now there's Emotiki, which calls itself the world's first Māori emoji app. And it looks pretty awesome.

Available on iOS and Android, the sticker app includes 200 different Māori icons, from emotions to food, to sports and animals associated with the cultures of Aotearoa.

---

You May Also Like

---

---

SEE ALSO: How a Kiwi designer made a Maori-inspired premiere gown for 'Moana' star

It's not true Emoji as you would find in your smartphone's keyboard -- the folks at Unicode call the shots on that. They're more like images you can share via your messaging app.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The app was created by Te Puia, a Maori arts and culture institute based in Rotorua.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Eruera West, Te Puia's project manager, came up with the idea following concerns from young Māori who said they had no emoji to show off their culture.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

"It's about showing that tikanga Māori has and can evolve...we're all about perpetuating the education around Māori culture," West told Stuff.

Te Puia consulted with Māori elders during the app's creation process, and she says the response was very positive.

West hopes not only just Māori kids will use it, but anyone who has an interest in the culture.

"Maori, Pakeha, even tourists -- we hope anyone who wants to share the Māori language and culture with us will use it, and tell their friends."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

• Digital Culture
• Entertainment
• Tech
• Science
• Games
• Deals
• Shopping
• Social Good

• No Time for a Negative Peace
• 'Wordle' today: Here's the April 14 answer, hints
• Asia Argento reportedly paid off a sexual assault accuser
• The accidental Super Like: Tinder's most awkward phenomenon
• NYT mini crossword answers for May 9, 2025
• J.K. Rowling's latest Trump burn is one of her most brutal so far
• WhatsApp testing hiding 'last seen' status from specific contacts
• Yelp will cover travel expenses for abortion access, but there's still progress to be made
• Samsung Unpacked stream is set for May 12, 2025
• Asia Argento reportedly paid off a sexual assault accuser

• Facebook announces plans to build 'Clear History' tool to combat privacy concerns
• 'Avengers: Infinity War' and Star
• JetBlue subtly renovates its A320 planes with wider, plushier seats, bigger hi
• Chinese website censors Peppa Pig for allegedly being subversive
• Boaty McBoatface is going to Antarctica in the name of science
• Australia pledges half a billion dollars toward the Great Barrier Reef
• Boy Scouts to drop 'boy' from namesake program upon welcoming girls
• Jenna Fischer finally reveals what Pam said to Michael during their airport goodbye
• The ultimate gift guide for college grads
• Mark Ruffalo spoiled the end of 'Avengers: Infinity War' last summer

• Amazon Pet Day: All the best deals
• Wordle today: Here's the answer, hints for April 17
• Trump lashes out after newspapers come together to defend the press
• 27 funniest stand
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for May 18: Tips to solve Connections #237
• 'Downton Abbey's most dramatic episodes, ranked
• Taylor Swift makes emotional speech on 1
• Sophie Turner absolutely destroys tweet about her crying on Joe Jonas' birthday with pure fire
• Stablecoin bill advances in U.S. Senate as Trump critics call to end his crypto dealings
• Toronto residents turned this pothole into a tomato garden

• Operation Mensch
• Interstellar meteorite confirmed as first object from outside our solar system to hit Earth
• The internet can't handle Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's engagement
• Angela from 'The Office' called out her nephew for his Tinder photo
• Ireland fines TikTok $600 million for sharing user data with China
• Wordle today: Here are the answer, hints for April 15
• Hands on with Fitbit's new Charge 3 fitness tracker
• 'Wordle' 296 today: Here's the answer, hints for April 11
• Hurricane Laura's impact lingered with nightmarish mosquito swarms
• 'Wordle' alternatives for movie fans: 'Framed' and 'Actorle'