Home22 January 2026
From left Taisia, Mannat, Toby and Owen preparing to collect samples at the Ōtautahi Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
Four aspiring scientists, Toby De Silva, Mannat Kaur, Owen Hulme and Taisia Afanasyeva, graduated from Bioprotection Aotearoa’s Te Māhuri Scholarship programme for secondary students after eight days immersed in science with Bioprotection Aotearoa and the Bioeconomy Science Institute. The programme ended with a thoughtful presentation by tauira for their whānau and science mentors, sharing their mahi and learnings.
Te Māhuri Scholarship is guided by the whakatauki Te piko o te māhuri, tērā te tipu o te rākau. The way in which the sapling is nurtured determines how the tree will grow. We recognise that in science, early immersion is key to breaking down barriers rangatahi face when pursuing science careers.
The feedback from Te Māhuri Scholarship recipients tells a clear and encouraging story. While the students had a variety of favourite experiences, they all agreed that Te Māhuri helped them see a clear career path forward in science. “The programme made me more interested in science and helped me think about it as something I could pursue in the future.” said Owen Hulme, Te Māhuri Scholar.
Throughout the eight day programme tauira were supported by mentors, scientists, researchers, and community members to connect hands-on with science and Mātauranga Māori. The cohort participated in plant and entomological field sampling, entomological and molecular lab work, plant identification, Mātauranga Māori, and weed ecology science.
The rangatahi also developed skills in science communication, working together to present their findings from science immersion. Mannat Kaur, Te Māhuri Scholar, shared “it was a great experience and a really good introduction to science and how it works.”
Building confidence with science
Every participant had a positive experience, and for many it was affirming as well as enjoyable. Te Māhuri created a space where rangatahi felt supported and safe to engage with science without feeling whakamā or out of their depth. “It’s definitely a good taster course to get an idea of what science is like, without feeling pressured or overloaded” Taisia Afanasyeva, Te Māhuri Scholar said.
One of the strongest takeaways was the confidence built. Several tauira spoke about feeling more comfortable with science and more confident in their own ability to understand it. “It helped me understand science better and made learning new concepts feel easier and more achievable,” Mannat Kaur said.
Te Māhuri doesn’t try to turn students into scientists overnight. Instead, it opens the door, removes some of the fear, and reinforces that they belong in these spaces. That shift in mindset is significant. “Te Māhuri was a great stepping stone into exploring science. It helped build my confidence and understanding without feeling overwhelming,” Owen Hulme.
The programme sparked curiosity and future thinking. The hands-on, real-world nature of the learning made science feel relevant and achievable. Every participant said they would recommend Te Māhuri to others. “I would recommend Te Māhuri to other students who are interested in science and want to learn more,” Taisia Afanasyeva.
Additional Information
- Outreach
To learn more about our outreach and engagement programmes with schools, iwi, hapū and community groups, explore our projects.