Tonui Collab held tech sessions for children at a three-day wananga at Parihimanahi Marae in Waihirere. Photo / Cinema East
Tonui Collab held tech sessions for children at a three-day wananga at Parihimanahi Marae in Waihirere. Photo / Cinema East
Thirty children gained a glimpse into the future of tech when they gathered at Parihimanihi Marae in Waihirere for Pā Hangarau, a three-day wānanga hosted by Tōnui Collab.
“Over the course of the wānanga, tamariki explored a wide range of digital technologies in a marae-based setting that honoured bothmātauranga Māori and modern tech pathways,” a press release said.
A highlight of the programme was a visit from Mere Tamanui, who ran hands-on sessions in water monitoring and native tree identification.
Tamariki later drew on their new knowledge to collaboratively design and build arcade-style video games.
Team member Te Manuhuia Paenga (left) is pictured with children who took part in Tonui Collab's tech sessions for children. Photo / Cinema East
“Alongside these creative projects, tamariki also heard from Māori thriving in tech roles, learning about study and career pathways that can connect their interests to exciting futures in the digital world.
“At the close of the wānanga, whānau were invited to come together at the marae to celebrate the achievements of their tamariki.
“Pā Hangarau is about giving tamariki the chance to imagine themselves as creators, innovators and leaders in technology, while grounded in the values of marae and whānau,” Tōnui Collab founder and director Shanon O’Connor said.
Thirteen-year-old Marita McLaren in a virtual reality headset. She was among the 30 tamariki who explored a wide range of digital technologies in a marae-based setting as part of the Pā Hangarau wananga. Photo / Cinema East
“Since its beginnings, Tōnui Collab has co-hosted Pā Hangarau at 10 marae across Te Tairāwhiti, creating opportunities for hundreds of tamariki and rangatahi to experience STEMM [science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and mātauranga Māori] learning in spaces where their identity and culture are celebrated.”
