Māori Experts In Science, Innovation And Technology Headline Annual Kanapu Wānanga

Māori leaders from the science, innovation and technology sector will inspire the next generation of Māori researchers at a national online wānanga on Wednesday 18 March 2026.

Kanapu will host its fourth annual wānanga – Hui Hihiri 2026 – focusing on the theme, ‘Whakahikonga Uira: Igniting our Leadership in Research, Science, Innovation and Technology (RSIT)’.

Kanapu is designed by Māori, for Māori, to connect, attract, nurture and accelerate Māori talent and leadership in research, science, innovation and technology (RSIT).

Kanapu executive director Dr Poia Rewi says the wānanga enables Māori researchers, scientists and innovators as well as hapū and hapori Māori to come together to strengthen their capability and capacity to achieve their RSIT aspirations.

“Are you hanging out for a science, innovation and tech hit? Then tune in and get your boost!

“Hui Hihiri is an invaluable networking opportunity – for Māori tertiary students, grassrootscollectives who are leading out this kaupapa in their rohe, and Māori working in Public Research Organisations (PROs) who want to connect with communities and create pathways for their staff.  

“A small group of early career Māori and their mentors in the RSIT sector will gather in Kirikiriroa for Hui Hihiri 2026 but most will participate online for free from around the motu. If you really need to be here in person, let us know.”  

The line-up includes:

Keynote Pūtaiao | Science Speaker and Workshop Facilitator:

Melanie Mark-Shadbolt

‘Accelerating Kaitiakitanga:

Māori Leadership Across Changing Environmental Systems’  

As biodiversity loss, biosecurity risks and climate disruption intensify, Māori leadership across research, science, innovation and technology is increasingly focused on transforming systems for the future.

Indigenous environmental sociologist Melanie Mark-Shadbolt (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Whakatōhea, Te Atiawa) reframes kaitiakitanga as leadership, highlighting how mātauranga Māori and Indigenous decision-making are shaping innovative responses to environmental change.  

Keynote Auaha | Innovation Speaker and Workshop Facilitator:

Dr Mahonri Owen

‘High-Tech Innovation:

Culture-Centred Design Principles’  

Mātauranga Māori offers powerful design principles grounded in mātauranga and interconnection.

Dr Mahonri Owen (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is an academic and researcher at the School of Engineering at the University of Waikato. He explores how these principles inform his work developing next-generation biomedical technology that adapts to people, environments and changing life contexts.

Keynote Hangarau | Technology Speaker and Workshop Facilitator:

Hine-Kaunuku (Morgana) Watson

‘Māori Futurism and Interactive Media:

Our Indigenous Advantage in Tech Spaces’

Interactive media creator and founder of Taranaki-based 4Phase Games, Hine-Kaunuku Watson (Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāpuhi), draws on Māori game development to examine how Māori futurism and interactive media embed mātauranga Māori into media design.

Using speculative fiction, pūrākau, game worlds and mechanics as examples, she shows how Māori-led interactive media creates ethical technologies and experiences that support relationships to taiao, identity, knowledge transmission and Indigenous prioritisation in tech.  

Panel Discussion:

‘Kia Hora Te Marino: Navigating Change as Māori Leaders in Research, Science, Innovation and Technology’

Pūtaiao | Science Panel Discussion Member:

Professor Kura Paul-Burke  

Marine ecologist Kura Paul-Burke (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakahemo, Ngāti Mākino, Ngāti Pūkeko, Irish) has extensive experience blending Western science with mātauranga Māori to help coastal hapū and iwi communities to restore, monitor and manage marine taonga.

Her methodologies and techniques are being adopted in other regions, normalising mātauranga Māori in marine science, empowering iwi and delivering tangible environmental, cultural and social gains.  

Auaha | Innovation Panel Discussion Member:

James Whetū  

With a background in environmental planning and policy, Whetū Consultancy Group director James Whetū (Waikato, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Raukawa) has significant experience in integrating and incorporating Māori values, perspectives and knowledge into resource management practices.

His ability to critically analyse situations and work towards finding innovative solutions that meet the interests of all parties is one of his most valued skills and currently sees him working to find ways to implement Indigenous values, traditions and knowledge within other Western ideologies, worldviews and frameworks.  

Hangarau | Technology Panel Discussion Member:

Professor Te Taka Keegan

Te Taka Keegan (Waikato-Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whakaue) is celebrated as the first Māori Professor of Computer Science at the University of Waikato and a visionary in Indigenous-focused technology.

His journey blends deep cultural insight with world-class technical expertise – from early work translating major computing systems into te reo Māori to developing AI-driven language tools that support Māori language revitalisation and empower iwi.  

More information including the programme, speaker biographies and to register for Hui Hihiri 2026 is available on the Kanapu website.

Kanapu is led by New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, funded by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Hīkina Whakatutuki, and based at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato in Kirikiriroa.  

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