2025 WINNER OF TE PUIAKI KAIWHAKAAKO PŪTAIAO THE SCIENCE TEACHER PRIZE
The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize has been won by Whaea Nan Walden-Moeung, of Wellington East Girls’ College.
Whaea Nan Walden-Moeung (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki), is an innovative educator who combines technologies like 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital modeling with traditional textiles and cultural narratives.
She empowers her students to engineer contemporary Māori artefacts using both natural and high-tech materials.
She says she uses technology to teach mātauranga Māori – and uses mātauranga Māori to teach technology.
Read media release about Whaea Nan’s prize.
Whaea Nan’s background is in the fashion industry, and she empowers her students to create innovative projects spanning industrial design, textile design, spatial design, and visual communication.
Her approach to teaching technology is about producing systems and incorporating all elements of STEM, particularly engineering.
Her teaching ethos centres on getting to know her students and supporting their wellbeing. She seeks to nurture their individual interests while being culturally responsive.
Whaea Nan started the annual design showcase Kohara2Shine 4 years ago, as a platform for her own students. The exhibition has expanded to Year 12 and 13 students from all over Wellington and as far away as Taranaki.
Hosting these exhibitions in collaboration with Massey University helps to bridge the gap between secondary school and tertiary education. Through her connections to industry, she is also inspiring her students to go on to careers in architecture, design, and engineering.
Whaea Nan’s goal is to give young Māori women a better understanding of what engineering is, and empower them to pursue related careers – partly to address the lack of women in engineering.
