News

Bridging the digital divide with Apple and Te Pūkenga

A new programme run by Apple and Te Pūkenga promises to help bridge the digital divide for Māori learners in New Zealand.

In New Zealand, Māori and Pasifika are underrepresented in the technology sector; in June, Te Pūkenga and Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) launched a programme to help make technology access more equitable in Aotearoa.

The new initative involves training thirty teachers from ten schools in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland which serve a high proportion of Māori and Pasifika learners.  

Read the Term 2 edition of School News HERE

Teachers will receive training on iOS app development with Swift Playgrounds. The course will involve lessons on app prototyping and design as well as digital media development, computer programming and user experience methodologies. This course will contribute to a micro credential in Digital Technologies Training. Kaiako will receive ongoing support and a device grant from Apple to ensure their learning is implemented effectively in the classroom.  

Pōwhiri for kaiako and Apple kaimahi participating in partnership with Te Pūkenga at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae. Photo supplied: Unitec | Te Pūkenga.

Peter Winder, Te Pūkenga Chief Executive says “both Apple and Te Pūkenga are focused on delivering equity to traditionally underserved groups.” 

“Reducing barriers to opportunity globally is a core focus of Apple’s” added Alisha Johnson Wilder, Director of REJI. “We’re excited to partner with Te Pūkenga and support their efforts to train and equip educators to help achieve education equity for Māori and Pasifika communities of Aotearoa.”  

Te Pūkenga has committed to creating training specifically designed to enable teachers to have skills and support to teach curriculum using Apple technology. They have also stated they will facilitate in-person workshops with students and the technology industry, to raise the profile of the technology sector among ākonga in New Zealand. Te Pūkenga has added technology to their mission to transform vocational education, focusing on equity and prioritising Māori and Pasifika learners.  

Currently, Māori only make up four percent of the technology sector, despite being 17 percent of New Zealand’s overall population. Pasifika make up only 2.8 percent of the technology sector, though they make up around 8 percent of the general population.  

Explore our latest issue...
Naomii Seah

Naomii Seah is a writer and journalist from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. She has been covering education in New Zealand since 2022.

Recent Posts

Administration costs for lunches fall on schools

Administration costs of the school lunch programme are being passed onto schools, say Principals.

5 days ago

Education research and funding slashed by Trump administration

American education research and funding is being slashed by the new Trump administration. What does…

5 days ago

Children’s math skills ‘non-transferable’ without effective pedagogy, study finds

Research has found children from urban Indian contexts cannot transfer maths skills between practical and…

5 days ago

Warm and friendly or competent and straightforward? What students want from AI chatbots in the classroom

AI chatbots can take different tones, impacting student experience. University of Auckland academics explain.

5 days ago

Behind the classroom door: A day in the life of New Zealand teachers – part three

Real stories of dedication, challenges, and triumphs from educators across Aotearoa. In part three, a…

5 days ago

Changes to maths curriculum come into effect

After a summer of preparation, schools are moving into the new maths curriculum for Years…

2 weeks ago