Te Tūkohu Ngāwha Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair 2024

Toi Moana | Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council were proud to support the Te Arawa Lakes Trust and their Te Tūkohu Ngāwha Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair 2024. The third annual event, developed and managed by the Trust, drew over 110 exhibits from nearly 20 schools & kohanga coming from Tauranga, Te Puke, & Thames through to Rotorua. On the day, rangatahi (youth) were welcome to enter across five categories: Biosecurity, Biodiversity and Conservation, Water Quality, Mātauranga Māori, and Sustainability.?

The central concept behind the fair was to challenge our future leaders to consider current threats to the taiao (nature) and develop potential strategies for mitigating the impacts. Entrants brought diverse and innovative solutions grounded in mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge) that can be utilised to tackle issues currently facing the taiao.?

The event was judged by a range of representatives from mana whenua, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the arts community, freshwater technicians, and other scientists from the region. The Hon. Simon Watts, the Minister of Climate Change and Minister of Revenue was also present as guest judge. The event culminated with the prize giving evening to celebrate and acknowledge all the entrants and the resulting winners of the categories.?

William Anaru (Te Arawa Lakes Trust): "It gives our rangatahi a platform to share their thoughts and whakaaro around some of the important issues affecting their taiao. "

Exhibits included stands addressing the culling of evasive catfish, feral cats, possums, and asian paddle crab, there were also stands showcasing the toxic algae (Caulerpa) present in our lakes, traditional Māori weaving as a sustainable alternative, and there was even a stand addressing the legendary love story of Hinemoa and Tutānekai.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council was lucky to have Rotorua Catchments Manager Helen Creagh as judge and to present the award for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Te Mana o Te Wai Enhancement Supreme Award?winner on the night. Helen praised the entrants for their clever work, and how confident every student was and to continue to improve their exhibits for the science fairs to come.??

Whangamarino School were the winners of the Regional Council-sponsored award with their ammonia & nitrate measurement tools of local water spots in Rotorua. Four groups shared this award. The winners were:?

·???????? Rotoiti Moana Kaitiaki

·???????? Okere Wai Keepers

·???????? Ohau Awa Investigators

·???????? Whangamarino Wai Warriors

Are you planning or do you have a local community event that regional council can support? The Te Tūkohu Ngāwha Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair 2024 was a successful applicant of the Te Hāpai Ora - Regional Community Fund. If you have an event that you think might be applicable, talk to the funding team. ?