Pūhoro had the pleasure of hosting an incredible group of rangatahi to celebrate their recent achievements as recipients of the ESR and Pūhoro STEMM Scholarship.
Pūhoro had the pleasure of hosting an incredible group of rangatahi to celebrate their recent achievements as recipients of the ESR and Pūhoro STEMM Scholarship. These future leaders, driven by a shared passion for science, innovation, and service to their communities, represent the growing force of Māori excellence in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Mātauranga Māori).
The gathering provided an opportunity to connect, share aspirations, and hear their personal stories that motivated them to pursue a STEMM pathway. From health and medicine to forensics, genetics and data analytics, each scholar is on a journey to create lasting impact for Māori and for Aotearoa as a whole.
“ESR are proud to tautoko such deserving tauira Māori. By investing in our rangatahi we can support the future science, innovation and technology system to include Māori leaders,” says Georgina Dawson, Māori Impact Manager at ESR.
“Increasing the number of Māori in STEMM is a key approach for ESR to ensure a fair and equitable system that responds to the needs of all of Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Since becoming the first Crown Research Institute to partner with Pūhoro in 2020, ESR has consistently contributed to the growth of Māori in STEMM, through hands-on wānanga workshops, internships, and financial support for tauira. Their partnership continues to embody the principle of he pūtaiao, he tāngata – science for communities.
“ESR has added immense value through this partnership,” adds Kemp Reweti, Pūhoro’s Manahautū. “They’ve led workshops, delivered our first Genomics Bootcamp, and supported numerous scholarships like the ones we’re celebrating today.
Māori will make up at least 20% of the labour force by 2050 and we know our rangatahi will step into these pathways with their Mātauranga at the core.”
Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery
Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāpuhi, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Toa
“I was inspired to pursue medicine not just as a career but as a way to serve my people and create meaningful change for Māori.”
Bachelor of Science – Microbiology & Genetics
Ngāti Maniapoto
“Genetics is undoubtedly the future of how we combat major health challenges. If we can enhance Māori access to these tools, we can work towards reducing health disparities.”
Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery
Kāi Tahu
“In the future I am considering going into gynaecology. A lot of health research comes from males and I’d like to be a part of changing this.”
Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Rangi,
“I want to provide culturally safe and patient-centred healthcare. I want to advance the health and wellbeing of my whānau, iwi and my people.”
Bachelor of Science – Forensic Analytical Science, Psychology
Ngāti Mahuta, Tainui, Waikato
“I come from a small town and I am a first-generation university student. I want to represent wāhine Māori in the forensics field and give back to my iwi and people.”
Bachelor of Science Hons – Microbiology
Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakahemo, Te Arawa
“My course of study will let me do my small part to help close these gaps and improve health outcomes for our tangata and mokopuna.”
Bachelor of Arts – Statistics, Māori and Indigenous Studies
Ngāti Maniapoto
“My dream is to become a data analyst and bring a cultural lens to the table to address disparities between Māori and non-Māori within Aotearoa.”
Bachelor of Science – Biomedical Studies
Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Ranginui, Taranaki
“As a first-year Biomedical Science student, I aim for medicine in hopes of uplifting Māori representation in healthcare, supporting whānau well-being, and becoming a role model for my niece and nephew.”
This scholarship initiative is more than a financial contribution – it’s a reminder that Māori belong in STEMM spaces, and that their unique worldviews and lived experiences are essential to the future of science in Aotearoa.
Pūhoro and ESR remain committed to ensuring rangatahi are not only supported through their studies, but are given platforms to thrive, lead, and be seen.
These tauira embody what it means to be purpose-driven scientists – carrying with them the strength of their whānau, iwi, and Mātauranga Māori into fields where they are deeply needed.
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