31 Mar 2025
Five iwi data apprentices have taken the first step of a three-month long journey to build their raraunga Māori pūkenga (Māori data skills) for the benefit of their iwi.
Successful He Ara Pūkeko kaitono were welcomed to their new roles as iwi data apprentices at a whakatau in Rotorua on Monday 31 March 2025.
He Ara Pūkeko is one of seven initiatives developed by Te Kāhui Raraunga as part of a programme to build iwi Māori data capability and capacity – Te Mana Whakatipu.
Te Mana Whakatipu Programme Manager, Kateriina Selwyn, says He Ara Pūkeko is a unique initiative in Aotearoa.
“He Ara Pūkeko has been developed by Te Kāhui Raraunga to further our efforts to build iwi Māori data capability and capacity,” says Kateriina.
“This initative ensures that our next generation is equipped to tell data driven stories, with a Te Ao Māori lens.”
He Ara Pūkeko was designed to develop Māori apprentices’ data analysis skills, their application of mātauranga Māori, and their ability to exercise their tirohanga Māori in data.
This is the second time Te Kāhui Raraunga has offered He Ara Pūkeko, with our first cohort graduating in December 2024.
The whakatakotoranga (structure) of the programme has three phases: Taha Māori, Taha Kāwanatanga and Rangahau.
Taha Māori (Māori component) will see apprentices gain exposure to the data lifecycle from an iwi Māori perspective.
Taha Kāwanatanga (Government component) takes our apprentices to Te Whanganui-a-Tara to gain experience in the application of data with a national lens.
During the Rangahau (research) phase of the inititave, apprentices will use the pūkenga gained during the programme to complete a research project for their iwi.
More than 30 kaitono from across Aotearoa responded to the call for applications in February, unfortunately only five were able to move forward as iwi data apprentices.
Apprentice, Tahua Pihema (Ngāti Whatua, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) was endorsed by her iwi, Ngāti Whatua, to participate in the initiative. She says He Ara Pūkeko is an opportunity to learn new skills to enhance her contribution to her people.
“My passion lies in my people, my iwi and hapū,” says Tahua. “My goal is to apply the knowledge gained from this programme to support evidence-based decision-making and enhance the wellbeing of our people.”
Our apprentices will conclude their He Ara Pūkeko journey in July 2025.
Top photo caption: Back row: Kerri-Anne Hancock, Izahn Paul, Dan Nganeko, Te Mauri Kingi. Middle row: Tessa Morgan, Tahua Pihema, Ripeka Parangi, Urukahinga Rei, Te Kirikauri Pene, Erena Mikaere, Raniera Kaio. Front row: Haami Piripi, Kateriina Selwyn, Rikirangi Gage.
Photo caption: He Ara Pūkeko 2025 cohort.