The Pūhoro Stemm Academy works with Māori students across the country to increase their engagement in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects as well as mātauranga, or Māori knowledge.

The aim of the new partnership is to enhance Māori representation in STEM-related careers within the dairy co-operative, and it will build on the existing relationship between Pūhoro and Fonterra’s research and development centre in Palmerston North.

Fonterra’s general manager of Māori outcomes and capability, Luana Nickles, said the company wanted a more inclusive working environment.

“Pūhoro’s mahi in fostering STEM careers for Māori rangatahi aligns with our own ambition of having a workforce which reflects all of the communities we operate within.

“Incorporating the unique Māori worldview strengthens our co-operative.”

She said the partnership would focus on early career pathways, including graduate programmes and apprenticeships.

The academy’s manahautū (chief executive), Kemp Reweti (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga), said he was thrilled to work with the dairy giant.

Secondary students from year 11 onwards would gain exposure to new STEM pathways, he said.

“Fonterra will deliver bespoke workshops as part of our wānanga series in high schools.

“It is important for us to work with organisations who value the unique worldview, skills and knowledge our rangatahi bring to STEM.

“We look forward to the development of this partnership in the years to come.”