Science summer session for rangatahi
Plant & Food Research, in collaboration with Māori organisation Wakatū Incorporation, has received funding from the New Zealand
government to engage Māori rangatahi (young Māori) with science.
Through the new Unlocking Curious Minds funding, Plant & Food Research and Wakatū will deliver a three day wānanga over the summer holidays for Year 9 and 10 rangatahi. It is
anticipated that the wānanga, Noho taiao ki Wakatū, will improve understanding of the contribution and value of science
to New Zealand, particularly the benefits to the primary sector, and encourage the students to consider a future career
in a science-related field.
The wānanga will be held at a marae in the Motueka area, where Wakatū is based, and will involve hands-on science
activities and presentations from scientists from Plant & Food Research and other science-based organisations.
“There is huge potential for Māori to grow wealth and benefits to communities from the land and the sea,” says Dr Bruce
Campbell, COO of Plant & Food Research. “Supporting young Māori and encouraging them to get involved in science will allow these assets to
deliver benefits into the future, using both traditional Māori knowledge and new scientific techniques to their full
advantage. We are very pleased to be able to work with Wakatū in supporting their own goals around developing rangatahi
in science.”
“We are very pleased to partner with Plant & Food Research on this initiative, assisting us to grow young people who are culturally able, well connected to our
Wakatū whanau, as well as investing in the development of our scientific capability” says Ropata Taylor, General Manager
People and Culture of Wakatū.
ends