With ties to both Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa, I have been fortunate to be at interface of Te Ao Māori and STEM my whole life.

After completing a BE in Mechanical Engineering, I decided to continue my education by pursuing a doctorate, which I completed in 2019 at the University of Waikato. I am currently a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering for the School of Engineering – University of Waikato.

My research area looks at the relationship between people and technology which means my research is bound to many academic fields including robotics, biomechanics, mechatronics, health and neuroscience to name a few. I have been lucky to to teach in multiple countries and have recently moved to the Waikato after managing the research and development arm of the Pūhoro STEMM kaupapa, the largest indigenous STEM academy in the world.

From 2014 through till now I have maintained an active research program. My area looks at the relationship between people, technology and culture in both teaching and research. In specific I developed assistive technology to restore the quality of life of amputees. My research has contributed to these academic fields through both scholarship and publication. I have participated in and presented at academic conferences with great outcomes.

I have had many opportunities to prepare and deliver research-informed lectures. I have also coordinated tutorials, classes, demonstrations and workshops. The most recent experience was in Shijiazhuang (China) where I was responsible for delivering first, second and third year engineering papers at the Hebei University of Science and Technology. In China I was directly involved with paper co-ordination and delivery including administration, initiating and developing material, developing curriculum, review and evaluation of papers and updating resources and materials.

I am committed to integrating mātauranga Māori into my research, which not only enriches my scientific approach but also serves as a way to inspire and mentor Māori students in STEM, where they are traditionally underrepresented.

Before joining the University of Waikato, I managed the research and development arm of the Pūhoro STEMM kaupapa, the largest indigenous STEM academy in the world. This role allowed me to actively contribute to the empowerment of indigenous students and communities through STEM education.

Overall, my work blends cutting-edge technology with cultural heritage, and I am passionate about advancing both scientific innovation and the empowerment of indigenous communities. I believe that technological advancement should be paired with cultural respect and community upliftment.

Mahonri’s recent kōrero