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Naomi Manu - Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
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Auraki Group Director receives New Year Royal Honour
In a significant acknowledgement of her commitment to educational excellence Auraki Group is proud to celebrate the recent announcement that our Director, Naomi Manu, has been honoured as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This accolade, announced in the New Year honours list, recognises her groundbreaking contributions to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) education and her unyielding dedication to the Māori community.
A leading in fostering Māori participation in STEM, Naomi Manu, of Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga descent, has been the driving force behind several groundbreaking initiatives. In 2016, she established the Pūhoro STEMM Academy, a trailblazing institution that has amplified the engagement of young Māori students in STEM subjects.
Her leadership extends to the co-founding of Auraki Group, a pioneering organisation dedicated to uplifting Māori participation in STEM careers. Through initiatives like the Poipoia data apprenticeship programme, Auraki Group has been instrumental in enhancing the data technology capabilities of Māori and iwi organisations. The group's efforts have been pivotal in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern technology, creating a culturally resonant 'anchor' in the STEM workforce.
Naomi's journey with Auraki Group reflects her profound commitment to creating pathways that blend innovative and traditional methods, thereby enriching the Māori perspective within the realm of data analytics. The exponential growth of the programme, from an initial cohort of ten to a projected seventy participants across four regions by 2024, stands testament to her visionary leadership.
Recognising the burgeoning demand for skilled professionals in STEM and data fields, Naomi has been at the forefront of 'demystifying' these areas for the upcoming generations. Her efforts have not only cultivated a burgeoning Māori data analytics workforce but also laid the groundwork for future leaders in these critical sectors.
In addition to her impactful work with Auraki Group and Pūhoro, Naomi's leadership journey has been further distinguished by her recent graduation as an Obama Foundation global leader. Her interaction with former United States President Barack Obama and his administration has further refined her leadership perspective, integrating core values and strategic insights into her approach.
Naomi's leadership extends beyond the realms of education and technology. As a newly appointed director of Māori business group Te Taumata, she advocates for increased Māori representation in global trade and commerce, both nationally and internationally.
Auraki Group celebrates Naomi Manu's remarkable achievements and her unwavering commitment to enhancing education, empowering young minds, and championing Māori values in the global landscape.
About Auraki Group Auraki Group is a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to fostering excellence in STEM education and promoting Māori participation in technology and innovation. Through a blend of cultural values and cutting-edge technology, Auraki Group aims to create a more inclusive and diverse future in the STEM fields.
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First cohort graduate from inaugural Poipoia Māori Data Apprenticeship programme
Apprentices from the first kaupapa Māori data apprenticeship programme have graduated with a new set of skills. The Auraki Group apprenticeship programme, which has a Māori world view, was launched earlier this year to enhance Māori expertise in the field of data science and analytics.
The programme integrates traditional Māori knowledge with contemporary data practices, and is the first kaupapa Māori data apprenticeship programme. It aims to equip Māori learners with skills to excel in the evolving world of data, while maintaining a connection to their cultural roots.
Programme kaiwhakahaere (director) Nicky Haeata-Ruwhiu said: “Our graduates are not only skilled in data analysis techniques, but also bring a unique Māori perspective to data. “This integration of tirohanga Māori (view) with data expertise is vital in promoting evidence-based and data-driven decision-making that can advance outcomes for our communities.”
The apprenticeship focused on practical, hands-on learning experiences, allowing apprentices to work on real-world projects. The projects honed their technical skills and emphasised the importance of data in supporting community programmes and policies.
“The Auraki data apprenticeship is more than just a training programme, it’s a movement towards a future where data is recognised as a taonga (treasure) and should be treated as such to advance outcomes for our people,” apprentice Melanie Miller said.
“As we step into the world of data analytics, we carry with us the wisdom of our tīpuna (ancestors) and a commitment to use data for the betterment of our communities.”
The graduation ceremony at Rangitāne o Manawatū on Tuesday night was a celebration of the fusion of tradition and innovation. It was attended by apprentices and their whānau, industry leaders, community representatives, and supporters. When speaking at graduation, Tuia te Oranga executive director at Rangitāne o Manawatū Wayne Blissett encouraged graduates to “use the knowledge, the power and the Māori magic you have gained from this kaupapa so that together we can continue to advance Māori magic motuhake (identity) across the motu”. Blissett encouraged graduates to continue to use the knowledge they had gained.
The programme was started by Auraki Group, which is aimed at boosting Māori capability in STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths).
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Naomi Manu speaks at recent Diversity Agenda Accord at Parliament
Our visionary co-founder Naomi Manu took to the stage at Parliament last month, addressing the Diversity Agenda Accord, a powerhouse group representing diversity in engineering and architecture. We're all about increasing Māori participation in these industries and breaking barriers together!
Naomi also sat on a "Dragons Den" type panel facilitating how organisations can actively make changes in their workplace's so they can have some wins and be set on a pathway to implement long term change.
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Naomi Manu wins at Te Hapori Matihiko Awards
Te Hapori Matihiko is a community for Māori working (or aspiring to work) in digital and tech roles. Prior to building this kaupapa, Te Hapori Matihiko surveyed Māori working in digital to understand their needs. This is by Māori, for Māori, of Māori.
As founder of Pūhoro STEMM Academy and now with Auraki Group, Naomi continues to interrupt the narrative by finding ways for Māori to be placed in the STEMM pipeline, giving tāngata Māori opportunities for employment and upskilling relative to one of the worlds' fastest growing industries - Technology.
Naomi has been recognised for her vision with Pūhoro and developing along with Auraki Group, the Poipoia Data Apprenticeship Programme which will see more Māori data analyst's. This will be instrumental in working with iwi nationwide in collecting, cleaning, analysing and reporting precious data and ensuring these taonga are kept safe in Aotearoa.
"The win is dedicated to our Pūhoro and Auraki Group communities. To our kaimahi who keep slaying and to their whānau who keep home fires burning" says a humble Naomi
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Auraki Group Director graduates from Obama Foundation Programme
As a recognised global change maker, Auraki Group Director Naomi Manu recently graduated from the Obama Foundation Global Leaders Programme during the Foundation's global convening in Athens, Greece
The global leadership programme trains participants in leadership development and civic engagement to help build their skills and scale their work across public, private, and non-profit sectors. Naomi was one of just 35 Leaders participating in the Asia-Pacific programme. This year’s Asia-Pacific cohort represented 22 countries/territories.
Naomi founded the internationally acclaimed Pūhoro STEMM Academy which is the largest indigenous STEM academy in the world. A finalist in the 2018 NZ Women of Influence Awards, Naomi is a skilled public speaker, researcher and strategist, and previously held numerous senior roles across both the public and private sector.
Of her experience Naomi says ‘not only did the programme teach practical application around values based leadership but we were able to learn directly from President Obama himself’.
‘One of the key takeaways from my experience with President Obama was to keep the ‘time horizon’ in perspective. President Obama reminded us that change takes time, and to not be discouraged. Perfection is not the goal - incremental change is’ Naomi says.
As part of the six-month, non-residential programme, these dedicated changemakers convened virtually each week for interactive sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community. They also had an opportunity to participate in various virtual experiences and special events, including one-on-one conversations with experienced mentors in the Foundation's global network.
President Obama’s familial ties to the region, his time in Indonesia as a young man, and his upbringing in Hawai’i have informed his values and his faith in the passion of this generation of changemakers across the Asia Pacific region. Launched in 2019, the programme is creating a network of leaders who drive positive, innovative change in their communities throughout the continent and across the globe. The 2023 cohort of Asia-Pacific Leaders are working across a broad range of issues and focus areas, including the climate crisis, indigenous rights, education, and more.
The Obama Foundation Leaders programme is designed to further inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders from Africa, Asia Pacific, and Europe to change their respective communities and the world. To learn more, visit obama.org/leaders.
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New Data Apprenticeship Programme for Māori and Iwi Organisations
A new Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Data Apprenticeship programme has been launched in Manawatū for Māori and iwi organisations to enhance their technical data capability and writing skills within the context of a unique Māori world view.
The Poipoia Data Apprenticeship programme (Poipoia) is the brainchild of Auraki Group Limited who are passionate about boosting Māori STEAM capability.
‘The programme aims to provide Māori and iwi organisations with the necessary skills to collect, analyse and interpret data in ways that promote Māori values and enhance ways in which they can understand and address social, economic and environmental issues affecting their communities. It will also enable participants
to communicate their findings effectively through written reports and presentations’ says Naomi Manu, Co-Founder Auraki Group Limited.
‘Poipoia derives from the whakataukī Poipoia te kakano kia puawai and describes the growth cycle from seed to bloom. Therefore Poipoia promotes the propagation of knowledge and skills in data analytics and interpretation among Māori business and iwi organisations’ says Nicky Haeata-Ruwhiu, Poipoia Kaiwhakahaere at Auraki Group Limited.
Over the next six months participants will receive a comprehensive understanding of data analytics concepts, tools, and techniques, including data cleaning, data visualisation, and data interpretation. The programme will also incorporate a Māori perspective to data, ensuring that participants understand the importance of data
sovereignty and the ethical considerations of collecting, analysing, and interpreting data from a Māori lens.
Participants will also receive a certificate upon completion of the programme, which will recognise their tirohanga Māori (Māori world view) technical data capabilities and writing skills.
‘The Data Apprenticeship programme is a significant step towards addressing the skills gap in data analytics and interpretation for Māori communities. It is an opportunity for Māori and iwi organisations to enhance their technical data capabilities and writing skills while incorporating a unique iwi and Māori world view to data’ says Arohaina Owen, Co-Founder Auraki Group Limited.
For more information on the Poipoia Data Apprenticeship programme, please contact us.
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS
Participant organisations include Auraki Group Limited, Rangitāne o Manawatū, Rangitāne o Tāmaki Nui a Rua, Highbury Whānau Centre, Te Kāika and pākihi Māori TKO Plumbing. The Poipoia kaupapa is also supported by Microsoft, Shelly Davis - The Unprofessional School of Writing, and Te Ata Kura Educators.
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