Pūtaiao symposium gathers Māori guardians of Science 

Matt Broughton (Ngāpuhi)

20 September 2023

The inaugural biennial Pūtaiao symposium for 2023 was hosted by Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Science earlier this month. Pūtaiao can be loosely thought of as “science” although it also incorporates Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems). The symposium centred around acknowledging the past to inspire future pathways for Māori in STEAMx3 (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Medicine, Math, Maatauranga Māori). Academic and professional staff from across the University were invited to speak, listen, and connect over two days at Te Papa Ako o Tai Tonga, University of Auckland South Campus. 

Matt Broughton (Ngāpuhi), Programme Coordinator at the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), had the privilege of attending. He was invited to give a presentation about CIE’s two technology hubs: Kura Matahuna, Unleash Space and Te Ahi Hangarau, Technology Hub. Matt shared with attendees all the opportunities that CIE provides free to the University community to enhance knowledge and confidence to succeed in innovation and entrepreneurship and transform ideas into reality. “From my perspective, Māori succeed in Pūtaiao when our contributions are used to better our communities. Yet, it is not merely the research and knowledge that are our taonga, but rather ourselves.”  

As a Certified Facilitator of the LEGO® Serious Play® Method, Matt also ran a LEGO® Serious Play workshop in which participants used LEGO® to create their vision for what Māori in Pūtaiao would look like in the next ten years.   

Matt immersed himself in the symposium experience and felt honoured to be a part of the event. “It was amazing to be in a safe space for te ao Māori to flourish, to hear and take part in the discussions with a whole lot of very inspiring people. You could see that everyone was putting in a lot of hard work in order to safeguard a future for Māori in Pūtaiao.” 

Objectives of the symposium included: 

1. Showcase Māori-led initiatives for Pūtaiao and Mātauranga pathway research.
2. Explore strategies that empower rangatahi Māori to engage with Pūtaiao and STEAMx3 in the education sectors and with iwi, hapū, organisations, and community.
3. Provide opportunities to network and partner with Māori researchers, educators, students, influencers, and movers and shakers in Pūtaiao and STEAMx3.
4. To inspire, connect, and develop enduring partnerships with Māori as Māori in Pūtaiao and STEAMx3.

Read more: Pūtaiao Symposium brings mana to science faculty