Te Manu Tāiko - Māori Student Experience Day Pukeahu 2025

Nau mai ki a Te Manu Tāiko – A Wānanga for Future Māori Leaders

Join us for a series of inspiring workshops led by some of Massey University’s leading creatives, thinkers, and doers. Through hands-on activities and thought-provoking kōrero, you’ll explore themes of cultural identity, leadership, and what it means to thrive in education as Māori.

This wānanga is designed for senior Māori secondary students who are thinking about university and want a real taste of what that journey could look like. You’ll get to connect with other like-minded tauira from across the motu, meet current Māori students and staff, and experience the unique support available to help you succeed at Massey.

Come explore the spaces, stories, and opportunities waiting for you — and start building the future you want, grounded in who you are.

Register: 9:00am

Pōwhiri starts at 9:30am

We will also host student panels and tours across the campus after our workshops

Day finishes at 2:30pm

Friday 1st August 2025

Please select 1 workshop from the following:

Creative Expression through Indigenous Knowledge

Explore Indigenous knowledge through art in this hands-on workshop grounded in Mātauranga Toi Māori. You’ll create a small artwork inspired by one of three themes: Mātauranga Toi Māori, Te Rau Karamu marae, or Puke Ariki — each offering a unique connection to culture, place, and story.

Sounds of the Land: Taonga Pūoro & Technology in Harmony

Join Associate Join Associate Professor Horomona Horo (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Taranaki) for an inspiring journey into the world of taonga pūoro — the traditional musical instruments of Aotearoa — and their deep connection to whenua.

Pikorua in 3D: Design, Create, Connect

In this workshop, you’ll bring together mātauranga Māori, tech, and sustainability to create something meaningful. You’ll start by designing your own infinity swirl — the Pikorua — using beginner-friendly 3D software. Then, using a pre-printed version made from recycled plastic, you’ll learn how to remove support structures, sand it down, and tie on the aho (cord).

Shoot & Go: No-Edit Film Challenge!

Keen to try filmmaking but not sure where to start? In this hands-on wānanga, you'll get a quick bootcamp on using a Canon cinema camera, then head out in a small rōpū to plan and shoot your own short film — with a twist. Every cut has to be made in-camera. No retakes. No editing. Just solid mahi and sharp storytelling.

Lead, Support, and Stay Prepared.

Join Hinemoa Katene for an interactive introduction to emergency response through Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) training. This hands-on workshop empowers rangatahi Māori to build confidence, leadership, and practical skills to support whānau and iwi in times of natural disaster. Learn how to work together to strengthen community preparedness and be ready when it matters most.

Unleash your imagination through storytelling.

Storytelling is a powerful way to express and share ideas and explore new worlds. Whether it’s through writing, speaking, or creating, every story matters. Join award-winning writer Whiti Hereaka in a practical workshop to hone your storytelling.

Find Your Voice, Shape Your Future.

Communication is at the heart of connection – whether you're telling a story, sharing an idea, or working with others. In this engaging workshop, you will explore the many ways communication can lead to exciting paths in media, tech, leadership, the arts, and more. Build confidence, spark creativity, and discover where your voice can take you with award winning playwright Elspeth Tilley.

Discover the Art in Science. You'll learn how to reveal the hidden beauty of rocks through a polarised microscope. By examining thin sections of rock, students will uncover stunning, colourful mineral patterns – nature’s own artwork revealed through science. Perfect for curious minds and budding geologists!

Create a Character. Whether you’re into games, movies or animation, this is your chance to bring characters, creatures and environments to life. We’ll lean into Māori wood carving and create your own detailed 3D sculpture. Work step-by-step, shaping in ZBrush and adding realistic textures and colour in Substance Painter. No prior tech knowledge necessary.

Photography. Exploring Cyanotypes and Alternative Photographic Processes Join a senior Māori Photography student and a Photography lecturer in a hands-on workshop to explore the creative world of cyanotypes, one of the earliest forms of photography.

Spatial Design. Explore Spatial Design and its role in shaping the spaces we engage every day. Guided by tikanga and processes of kōrerorero, hui, and wānanga, we’ll examine how design can elevate our stories of people and place.

Industrial Design. Explore the types of processes used by Industrial Designers and see the huge range of possibilities in the 3D Workshop.

We’ll provide lunch, please bring your own drink bottle. Wear something comfortable so you can move easily and get a bit messy.

Any questions please e-mail Barbara Scott at B.Scott2@massey.ac.nz

We’re looking forward to hosting you.

Ngā manaakitanga