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March 16, 2026
#Technology: National wānanga to ignite Māori leadership in science and innovation
Dale Husband
Posted On March 16, 2026
Download AudioMāori leaders from across the science, innovation and technology sectors will come together this week for a national online wānanga aimed at inspiring the next generation of Māori researchers.
The event, Hui Hihiri, will be hosted by Kanapu on Wednesday and will centre on the theme Whakahikonga Uira: Igniting our Leadership. The gathering marks the fourth annual instalment of the kaupapa, which continues to grow as a platform for connecting Māori talent working across research, science and emerging technologies.
Kanapu is an initiative led by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Aotearoa’s Māori Centre for Research Excellence. The programme has been developed specifically to support Māori leadership in research and innovation by creating pathways that connect established experts with emerging scholars and tauira.
Organisers say Hui Hihiri is designed to energise and inspire Māori who are already working in the sector while also attracting new talent into fields such as science, technology, engineering and innovation. The online format allows participants from across Aotearoa and overseas to take part in discussions focused on Māori leadership, research excellence and the future of Indigenous knowledge in modern science.
The wānanga will feature keynote presentations from leading Māori figures working across research, innovation and academia. Speakers are expected to share insights into their own journeys, the challenges faced by Māori in scientific fields, and the opportunities that lie ahead for Māori-led innovation.
Alongside keynote presentations, the programme will include opportunities for participants to engage directly with speakers and other attendees. Interactive elements are expected to encourage dialogue, networking and the exchange of ideas among those working in research and technology, as well as tauira exploring career pathways in the sector.
The organisers hope the event will strengthen connections across the Māori research community and encourage more Māori to pursue careers in science and innovation. They also see Hui Hihiri as an important opportunity to reinforce the role of mātauranga Māori within contemporary research environments.
Kanapu’s broader mission is to connect, attract, nurture and accelerate Māori leadership in research and technology. By creating spaces where Māori researchers can collaborate and share knowledge, the initiative aims to help ensure that Māori perspectives shape the future of scientific discovery and technological development in Aotearoa.
Participation in Hui Hihiri is open to researchers, tauira and anyone interested in the future of Māori leadership in science and innovation, with the online format allowing people from across the country to join the national conversation.
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