A wananga for rangatahi to boost their digital skills is planned for early September in Gisborne. Programming Maori Potential (PMP) is a digital start-up initiative targeted at rangatahi Maori of ages 17-19 years which aims to introduce 21st century skills through a 10-week digital start up accelerator programme with a
2.5-day showcase wananga in between. Teams go through the design and thinking process over six weeks, working with a mentor to identify a problem in their community as a team. They then come up with a solution from a digital technology lens. Rangatahi will work with mentors and supporters from Datacom, Amazon web services and Microsoft NZ to build tech solutions for problems they have identified and the solutions will then be presented to potential investors. PMP will also provide up to four weeks post-hackathon advisory support to assist rangatahi with taking their potential solution to market. PMP's Chante Hakiwai said the initiative was mainly about getting more young Maori into digital and creative pathways. PMP would give rangatahi Maori a chance to explore what is present for them to pursue, digitally and business-wise. “There will be five teams and a total of 125 rangatahi in the competition.” The winning team from each region will receive a cash prize of $500, sponsored gifts and an all expense paid trip to Wellington where they will compete in the final showcase at the Beehive. The Gisborne wananga is scheduled for September 2-4, at Taike E! For more information rangatahi can see their school careers adviser or visit the website, www.pmp.nz.
