Another award for Pūhoro
Pū horo Stemm Academy has been recognised on an international scale, winning the international engineering-andtechnology award for the most forwardthinking equality, diversity and inclusion programme in engineering and tech.
The awards, held by the Institute of Technology and Engineering, recognise global achievers and celebrates innovation across the sector.
Pū horo works with young Mā ori students to increase engagement in science, technology, engineering, maths and matauranga (Mā ori knowledge) subjects (stemm).
The announcement came off the back of success at Diversity Works New Zealand’s diversity awards in August, where Pū horo won the supreme award and the Ngā Ā huatanga o te Tiriti tohu.
‘‘To be recognised at the Diversity Awards was a significant achievement for the Pū horo whanau and kaupapa and now to be awarded on a global scale is a real honour,’’ Pū horo manahautu (chief executive) Naomi Manu said.
‘‘At the heart of what we do is ensuring Mā ori have equitable access to science, technology, engineering and maths and to have this purpose recognised globally is a huge step forward for us.’’
The award category merits organisations that run programmes that contribute to building a more diverse and inclusive engineering and technology culture, and whose work has helped make the technology industry more accessible to people from traditionally under-represented groups.
The Institute of Technology and Engineering’s philosophy that engineering and science must be inclusive sits naturally with the Pū horo kaupapa.
‘‘Mā ori currently make up just 2% of the stem workforce in Aotearoa. Our job is to change this by removing barriers, forging new pathways and building networks through a by Mā ori, for Mā ori, with Mā ori approach.’’
Pū horo transitions tauira Mā ori (students) through a three-step support system, Te Uranga Tū (high school), Te Uranga Pae (tertiary) and Te Uranga Tapu (employment).
Along this process mā tauranga Mā ori is integrated into all interactions.
By applying a Mā ori lens to everything, rangatahi can experience how intrinsic stem is to Mā ori culture.
Manu acknowledged the growth Pū horo has had since its formation in 2016.
‘‘This global recognition is a testament to how far Pū horo has come, particularly in the last year.
‘‘Pū horo now works with 54 kura (schools) across 10 regions and the number of rangatahi Mā ori (youth) engaging with Pū horo is increasing steadily.’’
Pū horo was named a finalist alongside the International University and Colleges, a Malaysian tertiary education provider and National Grid, a British electricity and gas utility company.