Fish Futures and Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair: Introduced Species Prize Package

Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair are excited to announce a new $5800 prize pool available to support two outstanding student-led projects that investigate an introduced species within the Te Arawa rohe. This prize pool has been kindly offered by the amazing team at Fish Futures!

Source: Keeley Grantham (Environmental Officer - Biosecurity and Biodiversity, Te Arawa Lakes Trust)

The two prizes will be tailored to the winning students' project and interests, with the opportunity for tauira to be supported into continuing their research journey on their chosen introduced species. This may include resources to help expand their project, support to attend a wānanga or conference as a learning opportunity, and/or support to create community-based action and/or restoration related to their project.

Prize winners and their projects will be covered in a news media story.

Enter a research project specific to an introduced species in the Te Arawa rohe for the opportunity to be supported to continue your research journey!

1st Place Premier Project Award $500 cash prize and up supported upskilling for te taiao (up to $3000)

Awarded to the top project that demonstrates deep research, innovative thinking, and a clear connection to the protection or restoration of taiao within the Te Arawa rohe.

Upskilling activities will be tailored to the prize winner and could include:

• Travel and accommodation to a national or international wānanga or conference to support students learning.

• Community-based action or restoration

• Support to expand on the research project
  

2nd Place Rising Researcher Award $300 cash prize and supported upskilling for te taiao (up to $2000)

Recognises a promising project with strong potential or kaupapa that engages mātauranga Māori, whānau, or hapori. Upskilling activities will be tailored to the prizewinner and could include:

• Travel and accommodation to a national wānanga or conference to support students learning. • Community-based action or restoration

• Support to expand on the project
  

Focus Area: Te Arawa Rohe

To be eligible, projects must explore introduced species within the Te Arawa rohe, such as:

• Pest fish (e.g. catfish) in the Rotorua lakes

• Invasive aquatic or terrestrial plants

• Mammalian predators or other pest animals

• Impacts on mahinga kai, wai māori, ngahere, or taonga species

• Valued introduced species, e.g. pigs, watercress

• Restoration or awareness efforts led by kura, hapū, or community

  
  

We welcome the use of mātauranga Māori, kaupapa Māori research methods, and creative approaches that reflect iwi/hapū values.

Update: Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā 2025 is happening this week!

Location: Energy Events Centre

Dates: Tuesday 22 July – Friday 25 July

• Tuesday, 1:00–5:00pm – Pack-in (Bay Trust Forum Room)

• Wednesday, 7:00–8:25am – Final pack-in

  • 8:30am – Opening karakia and kai

  • 9:00am–12:00pm – Judging (closed to public)

  • 1:00–5:00pm – Open to all

• Thursday, 8:30am–5:00pm – Open to all

  • 6:00–7:00pm – Prizegiving

• Friday, 8:30am–12:30pm – Final viewing and pack down

Visit the Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair Facebook page for the latest updates.

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Acknowledgements: A big thank you to Keeley Grantham (keeley@tearawa.iwi.nz) for sharing this article. The original media release can be found here.

Please contact info@bayscience.nz in the event of any errors/suggestions or if you would like to contribute a spotlight article.