“Whāngai te whakaaro, kia Pūawai” - Te Kāhui Pūkaha
“Nurture the mind to Fruition” - The Māori in Engineering Collective
The whakatauakī “Whāngai te Whakaaro kia Pūawai” - was composed by the founders of Te Kāhui Pūkaha as a kōha to all Māori in Engineering as a tribute to one of their greatest tools - their minds.
We are the engineers, the designers, the problem solvers, the thinkers and tinkers. We are the fibres of our tīpuna intertwined with the complexities of Engineering. When we nourish our minds with mātauranga we lay the foundations for innovative engineering that shapes the future of Aotearoa.
We are passionate about creating meaningful spaces for Māori by Māori. Our mahi centers around Te Aō Māori me ona Tikanga — ensuring they are not just included, but integral to the design and development of this Kāhui.
Mo te aha? | Our Why?
I hanga tenei kāhui, i roto i te whakaaro kia whakakotahi ai tātou ngā uri nō ngā iwi o Niu Tīreni, i mahi ai, i noho mai, i whai mai i ngā ara ō roto i Te Aō Pūkaha. Nā ngā korero tūkuiho, “Ko te Amorangi ki mua ko te hapai ō ki muri.” Waiho mā mātou te hapai ō ki muri, kia puawai koutou ngā Amorangi o Te Aō Pūkaha ki mua.
This Kāhui was established for all Māori interested in, studying and working within engineering.
A whakataukī synonymous within Māoridom that speaks to the establishment of Te Kāhui Pūkaha is: “Ko te Amorangi ki mua ko te hapai ō ki muri.” Which translates to “The leaders in the front, the workers in the back”. Let Te Kāhui Pūkaha, be the mechanism to support you, to connect you and to nurture you, as you will be the future designers, builders and engineers of Niu Tīrenī.
Ngā Kitenga | What we see
Māori are under-represented in tertiary engineering education
In 2021, Māori represented only 3% of the Engineering profession - Engineering New Zealand | Te Aō Rangahau
Māori and Pasifika make up 1% of Chartered Professionals - Engineering New Zealand | Te Aō Rangahau
A desire to create a sense of hāpori within Engineering
A desire to create connections at a national scale
Ngā Wawata | Our Aspirations
Empower Māori in Engineering and Students
Create a supportive, inclusive space where Māori in engineering and engineering students can connect, share experiences, and grow their skills. Build confidence and pride in their identity and their profession.
Strengthen Cultural Connection in Engineering
Ensure mātauranga Māori and tikanga are recognised, valued, and integrated into engineering practice. Promote engineering solutions that reflect Māori worldviews, sustainability, and community wellbeing.
Increase Māori Representation and Leadership
Encourage more Māori to enter and thrive in engineering careers. Support pathways from education to professional development. Develop strong Māori leadership within engineering fields and organisations.
Foster Innovation Grounded in Whānau and Whenua
Harness the unique perspectives and knowledge Māori bring to create innovative, culturally-grounded engineering solutions that benefit Aotearoa and its people.
Build Networks and Advocacy
Connect Māori engineers across regions and disciplines to share resources, mentorship, and opportunities. Advocate for systemic change in engineering education and industry to be more equitable and culturally responsive.
Inspire Future Generations
Engage rangatahi Māori through STEM and educational programs that show engineering as a pathway to shape their futures, nurture their minds, foster mātauranga, while embracing their culture.
By establishing this collective, we aim to strengthen identity, support success, and reshape engineering in Aotearoa — honouring our past, empowering the present, and building a future where Māori engineering excellence thrives.
Ngā Mata | Our People
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Miriama Manutangirua Johnston
Ngāti Porou, Ngai Tāmanuhiri, Ruapani, Rongowhakaata
Roading Designer | Founder
“ I tipu mai au i ngā rekereke ō āku mātua tīpuna, nā rātou tāku ake i whāngai, i tieki, i ārahi, nā rātou ano hoki tēnei ara i pārahi mōku. Nāku te whiwhi, nāku te waimarie.”'
Miriama is the founder and architect of Te Kāhui Pūkaha. With over 12 years of experience in the engineering industry, she has worked across construction, consultancy, and the public sector.
A reanga of Te Kōhanga Reo, Miriama carries her lived commitment to being Māori as an active way of being. Grounded in Te Aō Māori me ona Tikanga me Ngā Mātāpono, Miriama is committed to supporting the growth of all Māori within Engineering.
“Te Kāhui Pūkaha was founded out of Aroha. Aroha for our world, our environment and our people. But also, Aroha for the trials and tribulations that our Iwi Māori have faced. I hope this space serves as a commitment of kōtahitanga, tiekitanga and Mana Motuhake.'“
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Raharuhi Koia
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu ki te Wairoa, Raukawa
Structural Engineer | Co-Founder
Raharuhi is the co-founder of Te Kāhui Pūkaha. He is a Māori Structural Engineer currently working as a design consultant in Ōtautahi. Raharuhi’s industry experience has contributed to a range of projects across the motu – from small civil infrastructure to high-end architectural residential and commercial builds.
Raharuhi is committed to increasing Māori representation in STEM careers and supporting rangatahi into engineering pathways. Whether through mentoring or actively volunteering in Kura Reo Rua and Kura Kaupapa. Raharuhi strives to ensure Māori voices and mātauranga are central to the future of engineering in Aotearoa.
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Taane Taiepa
Ngāti Whare, Ngāi Tuhoe
Continuous Improvement Specialist
Taane studied a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Information Systems and Human Resource. Having worked in an engineering consultancy and now local council, he found his niche in business analysis and digital advisory. His mahi has spanned large national data projects through to small community projects with rūnaka and councils, always focused on making better use of information to support people and place. Taane was also part of the early growth of what is now Te Hapori Matihiko (previously Te Matarau), a kaupapa that connects and strengthens Māori in the digital and tech space. For him, engineering and technology are as much about people, strategy, and community as it is about the technical work.
Ngā Mihi - Acknowledgements
Ngā mihi kia rātou kua takotohia ngā ara mō tātou te reanga hou me ngā uri a muri ake nei.
Te Kāhui Pūkaha acknowledges and recognises the contributions made by those before us to Te Aō Pūkaha. This has ignited our passion and subsequently transpired into this space.