MAISci rōpū
MAISci is the whānau of Māori and Indigenous scientists at Te Kura Pūtaiao – School of Science. Our kaupapa is simple: weave together Māori, Pacific and Western knowledge so Māori and Pacific students and academics can thrive as themselves.
What we do
Teaching
We deliver SCIE606 Vision Mātauranga: Science Practice in Aotearoa as part of the Bachelor of Science. It's a course that builds genuine confidence to engage with Māori and Indigenous communities – grounded in the relationship between science, Te Tiriti and mātauranga Māori. Our learning environments are designed so every student can see themselves reflected – and feel at home in science.
Research and partnership
Our mahi extends well beyond the classroom. We support culturally grounded research and build lasting relationships with iwi, Pacific communities and external partners – because science that serves communities has to be built with them.
Pūhoro STEMM Academy
Through AUT's partnership with Pūhoro, we help open up science as a real possibility for rangatahi – creating pathways from high school into a future they can see themselves in.
A space for tauira
If you’re studying science at AUT, the MAISci room (WS513) is your space – a place to connect, find your people and access tuakana teina support. Beyond campus, our outreach and wānanga are growing the next generation of Māori and Pacific scientists, and you're part of that.
MAISci whānau
Our MAISci whānau brings together researchers, educators and community builders from across te ao Māori and the Pacific.
Recognition for our teaching
In 2025 our SCIE606 teaching team received AUT's Waipuna-ā-rangi | Kaupapa Māori Educator Award. It recognises a kaupapa Māori-led approach to science education that centres mātauranga Māori – and helps students engage with their communities with real confidence.
Growing the next generation of academics
Eke Tangaroa supports early career Māori and Pacific academics to grow as researchers and educators, and four of our MAISci whānau are kaihoe in it. Because building Indigenous leadership at AUT isn't just something we talk about. It's something we're actively part of.