Recently, Ngāti Mutunga hosted a highly successful Pūtaiao (Science) Wānanga in partnership with Otago University and Te Rarama, bringing together tauira from He Kākano at Waitara High School and Spotswood College for an engaging and hands-on learning experience.
The wānanga provided a unique opportunity for rangatahi to explore the connections between mātauranga Māori and contemporary science through a series of interactive learning modules. During the Kōkōwai Pūtaiao sessions, tauira investigated the chemistry of kōkōwai, explored whakapapa and DNA through practical experiments, extracted DNA from huarākau (fruit), and learned about the important role of hinu in creating kōkōwai paste and its traditional applications.
The Kōkōwai Mātauranga Māori module immersed participants in the cultural significance of kōkōwai, exploring its whakapapa, traditional uses, and customary practices. Tauira also had the opportunity to prepare their own kōkōwai and create toi using this natural pigment, bringing together science, culture, and creativity.
The wānanga also explored Marine Science, where rangatahi examined ocean acidification, the impacts of environmental change on marine ecosystems and kaimoana, and the enduring relationship between tangata and the moana through the principles of kaitiakitanga. A further module on Coastal Erosion investigated the effects of coastal change on whenua, wāhi tapu, and coastal communities, highlighting how scientific knowledge and mātauranga Māori work together to better understand and protect our environment.
The wānanga was an outstanding success, with tauira actively engaging in every aspect of the programme. It provided an inspiring space for learning, discovery, and connection, strengthening both scientific understanding and cultural identity while encouraging our rangatahi to become future kaitiaki of our whenua and moana.
