The Whole Truth Project— Public Health Explainer Series
Published by Stuff NZ, Maori Television, and Pacific Media Network
Overview
During the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, misinformation disproportionately impacted Māori and Pacific communities across Aotearoa. This project formed part of a national public health response—delivering clear, culturally grounded visual communication at a critical moment. I developed a series of animated videos and illustrations designed to translate complex, fast-evolving medical information into accessible, engaging content for broad and diverse audiences.
The Challenge
Public health messaging often fails when it overlooks trust, language, and cultural context. The challenge was to:
- Communicate scientifically complex information with clarity and accuracy
- Build trust with communities historically underserved or misrepresented in media
- Counter misinformation without reinforcing fear or alienation
- Deliver content quickly within a live and evolving news cycle
Approach
I approached the work through a culturally responsive, editorial-led process that prioritised clarity, trust, and accessibility.
- Narrative simplification: Translated dense medical information into clear visual stories using animation to guide understanding
- Culturally grounded design: Developed visual language and storytelling approaches that resonated with Māori and Pacific communities
- Collaborative production: Worked closely with journalists, editors, and presenters to ensure accuracy and alignment with evolving information
- End-to-end delivery: Led the full animation process from concept and storyboarding through to final delivery across platforms
- Accessibility focus: Supported bilingual content delivery, including te reo Māori, to broaden reach and engagement
Applications
The work was distributed across multiple national platforms and formats:
- Digital and editorial content
- Interactive storytelling formats for web and mobile
- Social media adaptations to increase reach and accessibility
Outcome
Distributed nationally across Stuff, Māori Television, and Pacific Media Network, the work formed part of a coordinated public health response during a critical stage of the vaccine rollout, with reach extending to international audiences. The animations and illustrations translated complex, rapidly evolving information into clear, accessible formats—supporting public understanding and enabling more informed decision-making. By centring culturally relevant storytelling, the work contributed to building trust with Māori and Pacific communities, addressing misinformation in a way that was both respectful and effective. The project was awarded Best Coverage of a Major News Event, recognising its impact, reach, and contribution to public awareness during a national crisis.
>The Whole Truth Project
Animation
Illustration
Print
Editorial Design
Social Media Content
Web Assets
