Full STEAM ahead for Pacific students across Ōtautahi
The Tagata Moana Trust’s “Mana Tamaiti” initiative takes Pacifica students through an inspiring and culturally grounded STEAM education programme.
Our Impact
By supporting Tagata Moana’s “Mana Tamaiti” programme, we’re helping Pacifica students access STEAM learning experiences and pathways that might otherwise be out of reach.
The Story
For many young people, interest in science and technology starts with exposure. Without it, entire pathways can remain invisible.
That’s what Tagata Moana is working to change.
Founded in 2020, the Christchurch-based organisation delivers STEAM programmes designed to grow Pacific futures in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Grounded in Pacific culture, their work focuses on building both capability and confidence, helping students see where they belong in these fields.
“Our mission is to grow Pacific futures working in STEAM,” says Director Nina Oberg. “It’s about building vocabulary, access and experience, and helping our communities see how this connects to who they are.”
With support from the Tait Foundation, Tagata Moana has been able to deliver Mana Tamaiti, a hands-on programme for students from Years 5 to 10.
The six-part series introduces students to a wide range of STEAM concepts, from navigation and coding to robotics, digital storytelling, construction and sustainability. Each module blends cultural knowledge with technical skills, creating a learning experience that feels both relevant and engaging.
Delivered across 16 schools and reaching around 280 students, the programme is designed to remove barriers to participation by meeting learners where they are.
“We take everything out to them,” Nina explains. “We load up a van with equipment and go into the classrooms, to make it as easy as possible.”
For students, the effect is immediate.
“We see a real increase in confidence, particularly with digital technologies. From the beginning to the end of the programme, there’s always growth.”
The programme also introduces students to future career pathways, often for the first time. In one case, a 12-year-old student who had been struggling at school came away inspired.
“He went home and told his mum he wanted to get into mechatronics. She said, ‘I didn’t even know what that was.’”
Stories like these are at the heart of Tagata Moana’s work, helping students not only build skills, but expand their sense of what’s possible. Because without early exposure to STEAM opportunities, students are far less likely to pursue these fields.
Our support of Mana Tamaiti ties in directly with the Tait Foundation’s “Equal Access” area of focus. By supporting programmes that bring learning directly to students in a culturally relevant way, we’re helping to ensure young people from all backgrounds can experience the eye-opening world of science and technology.
For Nina and her team, the rewards are deeply personal.
“When you’re young, you have your dreams. We should be able to see a way to them.”
Programmes like Mana Tamaiti are helping do just that.
The Tait Foundation is honoured to support Tagata Moana and the important work they’re doing in helping to make STEAM learning accessible to Pacifica students across Ōtautahi.
