Pūhoro STEMM

03/06/2026

This is what it looks like when mātauranga Māori and STEMM come together in practice. 🤝

We're proud to see Māori researchers like Mahonri Owen (Ngāti Hine, Tūwharetoa) and Mitchell Head (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Naho) leading innovative research that creates impact for our people.

For our rangatahi, seeing Māori thriving in these spaces helps them see that they belong, that their culture is a strength, and that they too can find success in STEMM careers and research.

Researchers at Te Kura Rau Mahara, Waikato Wearable Research Lab, are integrating their engineering, computer science and neuroscience knowledge to create te...

02/06/2026

New region. New rangatahi. New opportunities alongside our mates at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Te Upoko-o-Te-Ika is officially part of the Pūhoro whānau. We look forward to seeing where this journey will take us and supporting the next generation of Māori STEMM leaders.

21/05/2026

We’re stoked to announce that our partnership with PHF Science has been named a finalist in the 2025 Science New Zealand Awards, in the category Te Tohu Tūhura: Charter a Course for Impact through Partnering with Māori.

PHF Science supports Pūhoro as a national partner through He Ō Uta, He Ō Tai, helping expose rangatahi to science through hands-on wānanga sessions, scholarships, mentoring, and pathway support.

Together, our mission is to increase Māori participation and leadership across STEMM and inspire the next generation of Māori scientists, innovators and problem-solvers.

Next week, our teams will attend the awards ceremony at Parliament alongside our rangatahi. Stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes look.

19/05/2026

This is what it looks like when pūrākau meets STEM, and our rangatahi bring their mātauranga to the classroom. 🫁💡🧬

Last term we held 11 wānanga across Aotearoa providing more than 850 rangatahi with the opportunity to bring pūrākau, science and hands-on learning together.

This week, we go again. Kicking off another term of wānanga, starting strong in Te Matau-a-Māui.

13/05/2026

We recently caught up with Pūhoro rangatahi Kayla Bryant from Hillcrest High School to hear about her experience attending the New Zealand International Biology Olympiad NZIBO training and selection camp in Dunedin.

Kayla is the first Pūhoro student to reach this level and was selected as one of just 25 students from hundreds of applicants. 👏🏽

“For me, the highlight of the NZIBO camp was using the specialist research equipment at the University of Otago and meeting so many inspiring people from all around New Zealand.”

“NZIBO broadened my understanding of the different fields of science that I could take in the future, giving me insight into what university study would be like.”

Throughout the camp, students participated in lab-based tasks, dissections, fieldwork, and site visits.

“I am very thankful to Pūhoro for their continued support and encouragement. Having Pūhoro’s STEMM programme has enabled me to explore my interests in science and create pathways for future opportunities.”

We’re excited to see where Kayla’s STEMM journey takes her next. 💙

Keep an eye out for NZIBO 2027 registrations opening next month for rangatahi interested in exploring opportunities in biology and science: https://nzibo.org.

04/05/2026

As part of Te Ngahurutanga o Pūhoro, we asked our rangatahi and alumni one question: “What is the future of Pūhoro?”

Their answers speak for themselves. The future of Pūhoro is Māori leading in STEMM.

🎥 Hear what they had to say.

01/05/2026

Last week, Pūhoro STEMM reached another major milestone as we officially launched into Te Upoko-o-Te-Ika alongside our new partners, Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

The launch brought together kura, rangatahi, iwi, industry and stakeholders to celebrate the power of mātauranga Māori in STEMM and the pathways it creates for our rangatahi.

We’re proud to begin this journey with eight new partner schools and eager rangatahi from across the rohe.

Wellington and Wairarapa mark our 14th region across Aotearoa, and another step in connecting more rangatahi to meaningful STEMM opportunities.

25/03/2026

As Tā Mark Solomon and Kemp Reweti reflect, the strength of Pūhoro lies in the many threads woven together to support our rangatahi.

Education is the pathway forward, and our students are already leading the way. 🔥

19/03/2026

10 years of Pūhoro.
Thousands of futures set in motion. ✨

From Year 11 wānanga to studying medicine, our rangatahi remind us daily that being Māori in STEM isn’t a barrier, it’s a strength.

17/03/2026

Pūhoro ki te Ao 🌏

Last year our rangatahi stepped onto the world stage again, this time in Singapore. 🇸🇬

Through our Nōku Te Ao programme, they explored global STEM spaces, challenged their thinking, and saw first-hand what’s possible beyond Aotearoa.

But what was the real takeaway?
“Being Māori in STEM isn’t a barrier, it’s a strength.” ✊🏽
“Step outside your comfort zone. That’s where the real growth happens.” 🚀
“Our culture belongs in global spaces.” 🌏
“Pursue something you are passionate about, that’s what will drive your success” 🔥