Key points:

- The Mātātā Initiative will provide up to $350,000 annually from 2027 to 2029 to support Māori and Pasifika rangatahi pursuing four-year engineering and technology degrees.

- The initiative aims to improve Māori and Pasifika representation in engineering by funding scholarships, cultural support and community-led programmes that create stronger pathways into the profession.

- Students say the scholarships help ease financial pressure and support aspirations in sustainability and environmental engineering.

More than $1 million will fund scholarships and support programmes aimed at increasing Māori and Pasifika representation in engineering and technology across Aotearoa / New Zealand.

More than $1 million in new funding will support more Māori and Pasifika young people into engineering and technology careers in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

The Mātātā Initiative, part of the Engineering New Zealand Foundation, is seeking expressions of interest for programmes that help rangatahi pursue four-year engineering or technology degrees.

The funding round will cover 2027 to 2029, with up to $350,000 available each year.

Engineering New Zealand Foundation Chair Glen Cornelius said increasing Māori and Pasifika representation was critical to building a profession that reflected Aotearoa.

Mr Cornelius said the initiative was focused on reducing barriers.

"Our profession is stronger when it reflects the full diversity of the people it serves," Mr Cornelius said.

"The Mātātā Initiative is about breaking down barriers and creating meaningful pathways for more Māori and Pasifika young people to succeed in engineering careers."

Funded programmes must include scholarships or study awards of up to $5,000 for rangatahi entering qualifying engineering degrees.

The Mātātā Initiative aims to support at least 20 scholarships each year, with a goal of reaching more than 30 annually by 2028.

Programmes are expected to include cultural and academic support, and will ideally be co-developed and co-delivered with Māori or Pasifika organisations and communities.

Waipapa Taumata Rau (Auckland University) first-year engineering student Moses Etana received a Mātātā Initiative scholarship, which helped ease the financial pressure of study and supported his interest in environmental and chemical engineering.

Mr Etana said he wanted to work in sustainability.

"I want to champion sustainability in New Zealand," Mr Etana said.

"And find new ways to keep the country clean."

Previous funding has supported Pūhoro STEMM Academy, Great South and Amanaki STEM Academy to deliver scholarships, outreach initiatives and pathways for aspiring Māori and Pasifika engineers.

Expressions of interest for the 2027 to 2029 funding round close on 30 June 2026.

Organisations can learn more through the Mātātā Initiative at Engineering New Zealand.

The Engineering New Zealand Foundation was established in 2002 and supports current and future engineers through initiatives focused on career development and wellbeing.

The Mātātā Initiative was launched in 2023 with funding from Professors Dick and Mary Earle.