Matariki herenga waka – for everyone
The 2026 theme for Matariki – Matariki herenga waka – is about inclusion and encouraging us to celebrate together. It’s a theme that also underpins our new professional learning and development resources.
Sharing insights from Puna Aronui
As part of our PLD mahi, the Hub provided two online courses for educators in Aotearoa in 2025. We’ve pulled out key information from each course and made it available as individual learning frameworks.
Puna Aronui – Inclusive science education provides an overview of sequenced learning intentions designed to create more inclusive, equitable science learning environments. Inclusivity in science education curates the learning focuses and activities – designed as prompts for your own reflection and action.
Exploring mātauranga pūtaiao
Supporting teachers’ professional learning through an innovative project collaboration between the Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao and New Zealand Association of Science Educators, funded by the Network of Expertise.
Puna Aronui – Exploring mātauranga pūtaiao explores how mātauranga Māori and science offer a more meaningful, comprehensive understanding for all learners. Mātauranga pūtaiao curates the learning focuses and activities – designed to deepen your understanding and confidence.
The Puna Aronui programmes are funded by the New Zealand Association of Science Educators and Networks of Expertise.
Our third course – Unravelling the science/s of learning is running now. The next course begins on 21 July with a focus on AI and the New Zealand Curriculum. Registrations will open soon – if you don’t want to miss out, please email us and we will put you on our alert mailing list.
Matariki – making mātauranga Māori visible and valued
The release of our new PLD resources serendipitously aligns with the rising of Matariki. The team at Science Alive explains how education spaces foster broader cultural literacy through themed events and activities like Matariki.
Matariki – star associations
In te ao Māori, each of the whetū in the Matariki star cluster has an association with an aspect of wellbeing and the environment.
Our Matariki resources are curated in one handy location. Celebrate beyond the classroom with our event listing, which provides a range of options and ideas across the motu.
Manu Māra o Aotearoa – New Zealand Garden Bird Survey
Continue sparking cultural and scientific literacies while exploring local birdlife. The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey is back and runs from 27 June–5 July. We’ve resources for kura in reo Māori and English along with a context for learning to help with your planning.
The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey – inquiry cycle
This interactive collates a range of teaching and learning resources designed to engage, inspire and nurture rich learning experiences – with a focus on exploring local birdlife and engaging with the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey.
Select here to view the full transcript, links to teaching resources and copyright information.
Kia Pākiki – science, technology and the humanities
We’re adding to our suite of monthly podcasts presented by the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. The latest article and podcast looks at black-backed gulls – hot chip stealers with an uncanny intellect!
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Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Noho ora mai
Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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