Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair
- Lian Soh
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Calling all tamariki and rangatahi!
Are you passionate about science, our taiao, and making a real difference in the world? Join us from Wednesday 23rd July to Friday 25th July for the Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair, where YOU get the chance to kōrero about the state of te taiao and explore innovative solutions to environmental issues through a unique blend of Mātauranga Māori and Western science.
Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā is a science and design fair encouraging students to think about the state of their taiao and wai and the types of issues it may be facing. With the influence of mātauranga Māori and western science, young people are invited to engage in science practices and processes that acknowledge mātauranga Māori and to come up with potential solutions to these issues our taiao faces.
This is a platform of innovation and creativity, empowering change agents to realise their potential and develop their thinking and worldview based on their personal findings and research. We want to provide a space where tamariki and rangatahi can think about the issues that directly impact their taiao and wai, and can start to think of ideas or solutions to mitigate these issues through a te ao Māori lens, complimented with western science. This is more than just a science fair—it’s a platform of creativity, innovation, and empowerment!
Whether you’re passionate about biosecurity, biodiversity and conservation, water environments (freshwater and marine), sustainability, or tackling climate change, we want to hear your ideas and solutions.
Source: Keeley Grantham (Environmental Officer - Biosecurity and Biodiversity, Te Arawa Lakes Trust)
Categories include:
Biosecurity
Biodiversity & Conservation
Mātauranga Māori
Water Environments (Freshwater & Marine)
Sustainability
Climate Change Adaptation/Resilience
This is YOUR chance to be a taiao warrior and change agent, develop your thinking, and share your kaupapa for a better world. Empower your potential and join our community of young innovators working together to create lasting change!
Why should you get involved?
Learn from diverse worldviews:
Mātauranga Māori + Western science.
Gain experience in research and presentation.
Showcase your findings to a wider audience.
Make a real impact on the future of our environment.
PRIZES!!
We will have our sponsored awards for major prize winners as well as category winners.
Our supreme awards are as follows:
Water New Zealand - Student and Teacher Award
Te Kopu NZ - Te Anamata: Inquisitive Minds Award
Description - a primary school exhibit that highlights commitment and enthusiasm in learning, with a focus on caring for the taiao.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council - Te Mana o Te Wai Enhancement Supreme Award
Toitū Whenua Land Information New Zealand - Award for Excellence in a Project Focused on the whenua
Bay Conservation Alliance - Conservation Award
SCION - Ngā Huarahi ki Te Ao Award
Te Arawa Lakes Trust - Ngā Karu Atua Award
We encourage everyone to give this fair a go - it is an awesome opportunity to allow our tamariki and rangatahi to express their bright ideas and to connect and learn from each other. We also provide the opportunity to have showcases from local kaimahi, researchers and experts to discuss potential pathways in this space for our young people to ignite their passion and drive to work in our taiao space, as well as interactive spaces such as painting, games, videos and other exciting aspects to ensure there is something for everyone!
OR if you are ready to register your project, please fill out the online project registration form here.
Dates: Wednesday 23rd July - Friday 25th July
Location: The Rotorua Energy Events Centre
This is our 4th year of running this incredible event, help us make it an unforgettable celebration of our young people, knowledge enhancing and sharing, and action for our taiao!
＃TeTūkohuNgāwhā
＃MātaurangaMāori
＃ScienceAndDesignFair
＃Innovation
＃ClimateAction
＃Biodiversity
＃Sustainability
＃MāoriScience
＃TeTaiao
＃FutureLeaders
＃EmpowerChange
If you have any other questions or would like further information, please contact event organiser Keeley Grantham (Environmental Officer- Biosecurity and Biodiversity, Te Arawa Lakes Trust) at keeley@tearawa.iwi.nz or keep up to date with us on our Facebook and Instagram.
Acknowledgements: A big thank you to Keeley Grantham (keeley@tearawa.iwi.nz) for sharing this article.
Please contact info@bayscience.nz in the event of any errors/suggestions or if you would like to contribute a spotlight article.