UCOL and Pūhoro STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Mātauranga Māori) Academy are proud to announce a new partnership to support first-year Māori STEMM students.
UCOL and Pūhoro STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Mātauranga Māori) Academy are proud to announce a new partnership to support first-year Māori STEMM students.
Pūhoro Manahautū, Kemp Reweti, says this initiative is part of Te Ara Hou, a broader strategy designed to strengthen pathways into tertiary STEMM education.
"Building on an existing relationship, Pūhoro and UCOL are working together to create an environment where ākonga Māori can thrive."
Founded to address the underrepresentation of Māori in the STEMM workforce, Pūhoro has successfully increased engagement and academic achievement in STEMM subjects at the secondary school level. This new initiative aims to bridge the gap between secondary and tertiary education, improving retention and success for Māori students in STEMM pathways.
Reweti says the partnership is an important milestone in ensuring rangatahi receive tailored support as they transition into tertiary study.
"This partnership with UCOL is an important milestone in ensuring our rangatahi Māori receive the unique support they need to thrive in tertiary STEMM pathways. Through Te Ara Hou, we are building a system where Māori learners can confidently transition from secondary school into higher education while remaining deeply connected to their cultural identity. By working together, we are strengthening the STEMM pipeline for Māori and helping our rangatahi realise their full potential."
The collaboration will implement a holistic support framework for first-year Māori STEMM students at UCOL, with key features including:
- Mentoring & Peer Support – Pūhoro's Tuakana-Teina model will see senior tauira mentoring first-year students.
- Kai and Kōrero Gatherings – Monthly hui providing academic, cultural, and personal support in a whanaungatanga-focused environment.
- Academic Assistance – Targeted workshops and tutoring to help students succeed in STEMM courses.
- Career & Industry Exposure – Internship support, career planning, and engagement with STEMM professionals.
The pilot programme will be evaluated for its impact, with the potential for expansion into other Te Pūkenga subsidiaries.
UCOL Executive Director Te Mana Tauira, Teina Mataira, says the opportunity to develop and deliver the pilot of a national programme in partnership with Pūhoro means a lot to UCOL.
"This is a unique model with a focus on our ākonga Māori in STEMM. There is huge support from iwi and Māori organisations for us to disrupt what have been traditional learning pathways for Māori rangatahi by laying the foundations for them to set the bar higher for themselves and pursue high-value careers."
"When we can share more of our Mātauranga Māori and for these students, how that relates or connects to STEMM, we see their achievement rates skyrocket. This is echoed in the NCEA achievement differences between our Māori students in mainstream schools versus Māori students in kura kauapapa. There is a real element of excitement to be involved and help our ākonga thrive even more so."
"In our very first group setting, we had 15 ākonga, but once the pilot is fully up and running, this kaupapa has the potential to reach many more ākonga Māori who are currently studying a STEMM subject here at UCOL," Mataira explains.
Davis Ferguson, third year Bachelor of Nursing ākonga and Student Chair of Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa (a partnership organisation of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation), has been part of the Pūhoro programme through secondary school and says it has had an immense impact on his study journey.
"I've had the opportunity to travel to Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia, where I was introduced to cutting-edge companies that are changing the world in the STEMM space. They've offered me personalised internships that provide hands-on learning experiences in the nursing and hauora space opportunities I wouldn't typically get through a tertiary institute. I've also received some pūtea [funding] to help with my study-related costs."
Ferguson says he chose UCOL for his studies because he thrives in hands-on learning environments that include lots of simulation activities and in-person lectures.
"I've studied at other institutes before, and found that UCOL fosters a diverse environment with high levels of student engagement in class, which enables me to ask a billion questions."
He says Pūhoro has helped in a number of ways in supporting his transition from secondary school to tertiary education, and is excited to see the partnership between Pūhoro and UCOL grow.
"The scholarships and internships provided through Pūhoro have helped break down financial barriers associated with studying. It's also been great having Pūhoro friends I made in high school attending the same tertiary institution. It definitely makes the transition less lonely."
"I'm really excited to see more ākonga Māori engaging with such an awesome organisation, and I'm especially looking forward to seeing more UCOL students getting involved in summer internships and the amazing opportunities that come with them."
Ferguson believes one of the toughest challenges Māori ākonga in STEMM face is the financial cost, which he says Pūhoro helps with.
"One of the biggest barriers for ākonga Māori is costs like the cost of living, course-related academic expectations and placements, and the lack of time to work while studying. Pūhoro helps by offering a range of generous scholarships and internships that are designed to work around your study timetable."
Ferguson says Pūhoro offers experiences and opportunities for ākonga Māori that aren't available through mainstream education and has made an amazing influence on his career goals.
"For many Māori tauira, we're the first in our whānau to go to polytech or university, which can sometimes make us feel like small fish in a big lake. Pūhoro creates opportunities to connect tauira with other Māori leaders in their respective fields and professions, building a sense of community and support, and have a real knack for opening doors, offering experiences and opportunities that aren't available through mainstream education, like trips to Stanford University in the USA, Singapore, and Microsoft."
"I feel like I have so many aspirations for the future. I want to be a nurse who makes a meaningful impact and helps improve Māori health outcomes. I aspire to become a leader in the health workforce and eventually work towards becoming a nurse practitioner. Ultimately, I want to be in a job where I can wake up each day and feel like I've made the world just a little bit better."
For other rangatahi Māori considering a STEMM pathway, Ferguson's advice is to absolutely go for it, be kind to yourself, stay grounded, know your why and hold it close.
"We are few and far between in these spaces, and that's exactly why we need more Māori in STEMM. There is so much opportunity out there, and these spaces want more Māori voices, perspectives, and brilliance."
"There will be days when you feel defeated, burnt out, or lost. On those days, it's your why that will keep you going. Find ways to stay connected to your surroundings: join Māori student groups, lean on your friends, peers, and whānau; these supports will help you overcome the barriers you may face."
"There have been many moments in my own journey when I've questioned if I'm good enough, if I belong here, or what I'm even doing. Those feelings are real and valid. It's important to acknowledge them, unpack them, and talk about them. That's why knowing your why is so important; it becomes your armour."
"And lastly", he adds, "have fun!"
"Keep your cup full, because you can't pour from an empty one. Balance is key, and you deserve joy alongside your hard work."