Hokianga Science Festival
Explore, experiment, and discover the wonders of science.
Celebrating science learning, curiosity, and connection in our kura
Info for Schools Funders & SupportersOverview
The Hokianga Science Festival is an annual, community-led event that showcases and celebrates science learning in local kura. Created to support and strengthen science education in the Hokianga, the Festival brings tamariki, kaiako, whānau, and community organisations together to share experiments, ideas, and discoveries in a collaborative, non-competitive environment.
Grounded in tikanga Māori and shaped by the unique identity of the Hokianga, the Festival supports curiosity, confidence, and connection — helping young people see science as something relevant, enjoyable, and connected to their own world.
What Is the Hokianga Science Festival?
The Festival is a one-day science celebration where kura present student-designed experiments or investigations. Students explain their learning, answer questions, and engage directly with others in a shared learning environment.
Rather than competition, the Festival focuses on:
Curiosity and exploration
Student voice and confidence
Shared learning between kura
Connection through kaupapa-aligned practice
Hosting responsibility rotates between local schools, reinforcing collective ownership and community leadership.
Why the Festival Matters
Science learning plays an important role in helping young people understand the world around them. The Hokianga Science Festival was created to support science education in local kura by providing a meaningful reason for students to explore, prepare, and share their learning.
The Festival:
Encourages enjoyment of science teaching and learning
Builds confidence through student presentation and explanation
Strengthens academic connections between kura
Complements cultural and sporting events with a shared learning focus
By celebrating science in a way that reflects local values and lived experience, the Festival supports both educational and community wellbeing.
What Makes the Festival Special
The Hokianga Science Festival is distinct because it is:
Community-driven, with strong local leadership
Non-competitive, creating a safe and inclusive environment
Guided by tikanga Māori, with presentations in te reo Māori and English
Student-led, with students introducing and interviewing presenters
Grounded in manaakitanga, including a shared healthy lunch for all attendees
Every participating school also receives a gift for their kura, such as native trees for planting and science books for their library.
The Festival in Action
On the day of the Festival, kura arrive and set up student presentations throughout the venue. The host school opens the event and interviews each presenting group. Attendees then move around the space, interacting with presenters, asking questions, and exploring ideas together.
Alongside student presentations, the Festival includes hands-on exploration using House of Science kits, a short engaging science presentation, and a locally led activity. The result is a lively, collaborative environment where learning is shared openly and confidently.
A Community-Led Initiative
The Hokianga Science Festival began in 2022 as an initiative of the Hokianga Community Educational Trust (HCET), responding to a recognised need to support science teaching and learning in local kura.
The Festival is delivered through collaboration between Ako Hokianga trustees, host schools, and community partners, including House of Science, Hauora Hokianga, and local service organisations. This collective approach helps ensure the Festival remains locally grounded, well supported, and sustainable.
Learn More
Whether you are a school considering participation, or a funder or supporter interested in contributing, you can explore more below: