KOHINE ROBOTICS
TŌNUI Collab, with the support of the Ministry of Education, the Spark Foundation, and The Gattung Foundation, creates opportunities for kōhine (year 6 - year 9) to come together in marae-based wānanga settings to experiment with VEX IQ Robotics, develop confidence with a range of technologies, learn about study and career pathways in tech, and hear from wāhine thriving in tech.
These multi-day wānanga have grown to support a growing number of kōhine from across Te Tairāwhiti over the past four years.
The goals of the Kōhine Robotics kaupapa are to,
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Create a safe and encouraging environment for kōhine, aged 9 - 13, to collaboratively experiment and develop confidence with VEX IQ Robotics;
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Engage kōhine in collaborative challenges that help them develop and strengthen their critical thinking skills, logical thinking skills, and communication skills;
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Support kōhine to learn about leadership characteristics and identify these traits in themselves;
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Improve the visibility of study and careers pathways into science and technology roles and provide kōhine with clear and accurate information about the opportunities, benefits, and challenges of a career in the science and technology fields; and
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Provide kōhine with the opportunity to hear from, and be inspired by, kaikorero who will bring their unique perspectives and insight as wāhine in Science and Tech roles.
In 2026, Tōnui Collab are hosting a number of 3-day Kōhine Robotics Wānanga.
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Tuesday 17 March - Thursday 19 March (Turanganui-a-Kiwa / Gisborne)
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Tuesday 31 March - Thursday 2 March (Turanganui-a-Kiwa / Gisborne)
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More dates to come...
Participation in the Kōhine Robotics kaupapa come with the following conditions....
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Kōhine participate in teams.
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Each team must consist of three kōhine, aged 9 - 13 years.
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Kōhine will be required to attend all three days of their chosen wānanga, 9:30am - 2:30pm.
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All resources will be provided.
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Wānanga will be catered.
Tōnui Collab's Kōhine Robotics kaupapa is supported by The Gattung Foundation, the Ministry of Education, and the Spark Foundation.
In previous years, the Kōhine Robotics kaupapa has also received support from Internet NZ, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Te Huarahi Tika Trust, Digital Future Aotearoa, Te Hapori Matihiko, Microsoft NZ, EIT - Te Pukenga, DTTA (Digital Technology Teachers of Aotearoa) and SheSharp.
For more information about our Kōhine Robotics programme, contact us on admin@tonuicollab.com
