Blending Engineering Precision with Cultural Reverence

In a pioneering effort that fuses modern engineering with ancient tikanga Māori, two sisters from the University of Auckland are leading a project to safeguard the mana of traditional carved pou. Ngarui Manukau and Tiaho Wihongi-Minhinnick, both alumni and current students respectively in the Bachelor of Engineering programme at Waipapa Taumata Rau, are designing innovative foundations for four towering 10-metre tōtara pou destined for a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei papakāinga in Ōrākei, Auckland. Each pou, weighing 1.2 tonnes and measuring 600mm in diameter, represents not just structural elements but profound carriers of whakapapa, stories, and histories central to Māori identity.

The project, supported by the MĀPIHI Māori and Pacific Housing Research Centre at the University of Auckland, addresses a critical gap in New Zealand engineering practice: how to secure culturally significant taonga without compromising their spiritual essence. Traditional methods often prioritize functionality, encasing pou in visible concrete that detracts from their aesthetic and mana. The sisters' approach conceals concrete foundations with natural materials like stone, drawing inspiration from overseas precedents such as Native American totem pole designs, as local research is scarce.

The Cultural Significance of Pou in Māori Communities

Pou whenua or pou tokomanu are more than decorative posts; they are living embodiments of genealogy, marking boundaries, commemorating ancestors, and asserting presence on whenua. For Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, these pou at the papakāinga will stand as enduring symbols of resilience and reconnection to Tāmaki Makaurau. The challenge lies in ensuring their physical longevity—subject to seismic activity, weathering, and soil conditions in Auckland—while upholding tikanga that demands harmony with the natural world.

Tiaho Wihongi-Minhinnick emphasizes, "These are not just posts; they have stories, histories, and mana in and of themselves." The sisters' design process involves close collaboration with iwi, integrating iwi-specific protocols from the outset, rather than retrofitting cultural elements post-design. This proactive stance sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects involving taonga Māori.

Sisters' Journeys: Pioneering Paths in a Male-Dominated Field

Ngarui Manukau, Ngāpuhi and Waikato, graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from the University of Auckland in 2021 and brings industry experience from major projects like Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū-Tararua Highway. Her entry into engineering stemmed from a chance conversation with a careers advisor—a path she notes many rangatahi lack awareness of. Tiaho, at 21, is on track to graduate soon, leading the pou project amid her studies, while their youngest sister Phoenix recently completed her degree. The trio represents a rare whānau trio of engineers, highlighting familial inspiration as a key motivator.

Yet their journeys underscore persistent barriers. Ngarui recalls being the only Māori in lecture halls and worksites, facing assumptions that she wasn't the engineer when paired with male colleagues. "As Māori and women, we have to work at least twice as hard to prove ourselves," she shares. Their story exemplifies resilience, turning isolation into advocacy for greater Māori representation.

Addressing Low Māori Enrolment in Engineering Lectures

Concerns over low Māori enrolment in engineering lectures are longstanding, with numbers described as "tiny" at New Zealand universities. While overall tertiary Māori participation stands at around 12.7% of domestic students, engineering lags significantly. Women comprise only 18% of the engineering workforce nationally, with Māori women even scarcer—less than 25% of engineering students are female, and Māori representation is disproportionately low.

• Māori make up 17.3% of NZ's population but are underrepresented in STEM fields.
• University of Auckland reported 14% growth in Māori undergraduate enrolments overall in 2026, but engineering-specific figures remain modest.
• At the University of Canterbury, engineering deans note low Māori and female attendance, prompting targeted recruitment.

This scarcity perpetuates a cycle: few role models mean limited visibility, discouraging potential entrants. Ngarui observes, "If you don't even know it exists, you can't aim for it."

Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash

University Initiatives Boosting Māori Women in Engineering

New Zealand universities are countering these trends through dedicated programmes. The University of Auckland's Tuākana programme offers first-year Māori and Pacific engineering students peer mentoring and small-group tutorials in core subjects like mechanics and materials science, fostering a sense of whānau.Learn more about Tuākana

The Matata Initiative, funded by Engineering New Zealand Foundation, invests $250,000 annually to lift Māori and Pasifika into four-year engineering degrees, addressing historical educational disparities. Scholarships like Tū Ātea at Victoria University target Māori in electrical engineering. Recent events, such as the September 2025 wānanga celebrating Māori in engineering, underscore growing momentum.

Barriers and Breakthroughs: Insights from Research

A recent study on five Māori women's journeys in engineering reveals systemic hurdles: gendered stereotypes, cultural disconnection in curricula, inadequate facilities, and intergenerational impacts of colonization. Participants faced derogatory remarks and ill-fitting PPE but triumphed through family support, resilience, and culturally attuned programmes like Māori and Pacific Trades Training.

Success factors include hands-on learning, mentorship, and integrating mātauranga Māori into engineering. The sisters' project exemplifies this, proving tikanga enhances innovation rather than hinders it. "It's not just if it works—that's the bare minimum," asserts Ngarui.Read the full study

Implications for New Zealand Engineering Education

This project signals a paradigm shift in engineering education, urging universities to embed cultural competency from year one. Faculties like Auckland's are establishing Māori and Pasifika Engineering Research Centres (MPERC) to nurture indigenous-led research. As NZ grapples with infrastructure demands—earthquakes, climate change—culturally sensitive designs are essential, particularly for iwi partnerships.

Low enrolment exacerbates skills shortages; Engineering NZ estimates ongoing demand for 1,500+ engineers annually. Boosting Māori wahine participation promises diverse perspectives, driving equitable outcomes.

Future Outlook: Normalizing Māori Leadership in Engineering

The sisters hope their work inspires rangatahi: "If I can do it, you definitely can." With pou carving pending, the design will be presented to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei soon, potentially standardizing mana-preserving methods nationwide. Universities must scale initiatives, track retention (e.g., first-year pass rates improving at Auckland), and collaborate with industry for work-integrated learning.

Explore opportunities in NZ higher ed engineering roles via AcademicJobs NZ.

Photo by Michael Jerrard on Unsplash

Pathways Forward: Actionable Steps for Aspiring Wahine Māori Engineers

• Seek scholarships like Matata or Tuākana for financial and peer support.
• Engage in whānau mentorship and iwi networks for cultural grounding.
• Advocate for mātauranga Māori in curricula to bridge identity and profession.
• Pursue hands-on projects blending tikanga and tech for portfolio strength.

For career advice, check higher ed career tips, adaptable to NZ contexts.