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Wayfinders Club Term 3 2026: Reclaiming a Legacy of Pacific Innovation
What if the next generation of Pacific scientists, engineers and innovators didn't have to look far for inspiration, but simply look back at where they came from?
This was the idea behind Wayfinders Club, Tapasā's culturally grounded STEM programme that recently brought ten weeks of discovery, creativity and innovation to Pacific students at Waitākere College and Sisters United Academy.
Funded by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, the programme brought together Pacific knowledge holders, STEM professionals and young role models to challenge a narrative: that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are somehow separate from Pacific identity.
Because long before modern technology, our Pacific ancestors were scientists, engineers, mathematicians and innovators.
They navigated the world's largest ocean using the stars, currents and winds. They engineered vessels capable of travelling thousands of kilometres across the Moana, drawing on sophisticated systems of knowledge, observation and problem-solving.
Our ancestors weren't simply surviving. They were discovering, creating and innovating.
Yet when we talk about STEM today, Pacific knowledge and contributions are often missing from the conversation.
At Tapasā, we're working to change that narrative.
We believe Pacific young people don't need to look outside their cultures to find examples of scientific brilliance. They come from generations of it.
They come from greatness. From brilliance. From brightness.
And through Wayfinders Club, we're helping our young people recognise that STEM isn't just something they can aspire to. It's part of the legacy they carry forward.
STEM is for THEM.
Our journey began with Dr Sonny Natanielu of Moana Wayfinders, who introduced students to the extraordinary knowledge of Pacific voyaging and traditional star navigation. Through learning about the stars, ocean and ancestral navigation, students discovered the sophisticated scientific and mathematical thinking that enabled our ancestors to journey across the Moana.
They then put this knowledge into practice, learning traditional lashing techniques and working together to build waka structures, experiencing the engineering, creativity and resourcefulness behind Pacific innovation.
For one Sisters United Academy student, this sparked a powerful realisation:
"I learnt that Pacific people were way ahead of the rest of the world in innovation and STEM."
From navigating the ocean, students moved into the world of Pacific art and design with Maryann Manu. Through tapa-making and pattern recognition, they explored how mathematics, symmetry, creativity and storytelling are embedded within our cultural practices.
Students particularly enjoyed creating with their hands and incorporating elements of their own lives and identities into their designs. It was another reminder that STEM doesn't only exist in laboratories and classrooms. It can also be found in the knowledge, creativity and traditions passed down through generations.
Our journey then moved into the technologies shaping our future.
At Waitākere College, Microsoft introduced students to coding and artificial intelligence, while at Sisters United Academy, Matelita Elisala from Sikulagi, a Tuvaluan youth coding organisation, guided students through digital technology and game development.
These sessions demonstrated how Pacific identity and contemporary technology can work together, encouraging students to see themselves not only as users of technology, but as potential creators of it.
With Dr Dulsha Kularatna-Abeywardana from Little Engineers, students explored electrical engineering through hands-on experiments, building circuits and creating illuminated representations of the Matariki constellation.
Across each experience, the message remained the same: the curiosity, creativity and problem-solving that shaped our ancestors' achievements are strengths our young people can continue to develop today.
As the programme came to an end, we brought wayfinding back to the students' own lives.
At Waitākere College, former students Konrad and Mahonri Schwalger returned to facilitate Wayfinding for Life, encouraging students to map their identities, aspirations and future pathways through a waka mapping activity.
During their final reflections, students shared how much they valued learning from people of a similar generation who understood their experiences. They appreciated having space to discuss their ideas, share their identities and learn from one another.
It reinforced something important: representation matters. When young people see themselves reflected in the people guiding them, new possibilities can begin to feel within reach.
And the feedback across both schools gave us plenty to celebrate.
At Waitākere College, 88.2% of post-programme survey respondents rated their experience four or five out of five, while 82.4% recognised connections between Indigenous Pacific knowledge and modern STEM.
At Sisters United Academy, 92.9% rated their experience four or five out of five, and 78.6% recognised that Pacific voyaging involves science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
These findings were particularly meaningful because, while many students entered the programme already interested in STEM, their understanding of future career opportunities was limited.
At Sisters United Academy, over 60% of the students knew little or nothing about STEM careers. At Waitākere College, more than half reported the same.
This highlighted an important challenge.
Our young people are not lacking curiosity or ambition. Many simply need greater opportunities to explore what is possible and see where their interests could take them.
When we asked students what being a Wayfinder meant to them, their responses reflected a growing understanding of their own potential.
One student shared:
"Being a wayfinder is to navigate our way through life as we take on opportunities and challenges that come ahead."
Another reflected:
"It helps me feel more connected to my culture."
Wayfinders Club isn't simply about introducing young people to STEM. It's about challenging the narratives that shape whose knowledge is valued, who sees themselves represented in education and who believes they belong in the industries shaping our future.
It's also about demonstrating a different approach to learning.
By bringing together schools, Pacific knowledge holders, technology organisations and STEM professionals, we're showing how education can become more culturally grounded, collaborative and relevant to the young people it serves.
Tapasā's role throughout this journey was to connect these different worlds, ensuring that Pacific knowledge wasn't simply an addition to STEM learning, but the foundation from which students explored it.
The students have also helped shape where we go next. Their feedback called for more practical experiments, sport science, cooking, Pacific languages and traditions, and relatable mentors. These are valuable insights as we continue developing learning experiences that respond to their interests and aspirations.
We're grateful to all our incredible facilitators, Waitākere College and Sisters United Academy for embracing this journey, and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples for making this programme possible.
Our hope is to see more Pacific scientists, engineers, technologists, designers and innovators. Not because our young people need to become something they've never been, but because they deserve opportunities to carry forward a legacy of brilliance that has existed across our Moana for generations.
Our ancestors navigated the stars to discover new horizons. Now it's time for our young people to navigate their own.
And at Tapasā, we're committed to helping them find their way.
Want to help shape the next generation of innovators? If you're a school, STEM professional, organisation or potential partner who shares our vision for more inclusive and culturally grounded learning, we'd love to connect. Get in touch to explore how we can create meaningful opportunities for young people together.
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