Funders & Supporters
Supporting science education, confidence, and connection in the Hokianga
A Community-Led Investment in Science Education
The Hokianga Science Festival is an annual, community-led initiative that supports science education, curiosity, and confidence among tamariki in the Hokianga and surrounding areas.
Delivered through collaboration between kura, community organisations, and Ako Hokianga, the Festival provides a culturally grounded, non-competitive environment where students can share their learning, explore scientific ideas, and connect with others through meaningful, hands-on experience.
Why the Festival Exists
Access to science education, resources, and confidence-building opportunities can vary widely across regions. The Hokianga Science Festival was created in response to a recognised need to:
Support science teaching and learning in local kura
Provide meaningful opportunities for students to engage with science
Encourage enjoyment, curiosity, and confidence in learning
Strengthen academic connections between schools
By creating a shared science-focused event, the Festival complements existing sporting and cultural gatherings while reinforcing the value of academic learning within the community.
How the Festival Works
Each participating kura prepares student-led science presentations or investigations. Students introduce their work, explain their thinking, and engage in discussion with peers, educators, and visitors.
The Festival format is:
Non-competitive, reducing pressure and encouraging participation
Student-centred, with students leading presentations and interviews
Guided by tikanga Māori, reflecting local values and identity
Collaborative, encouraging connection rather than comparison
Alongside student presentations, the Festival includes hands-on exploration using House of Science kits, a short engaging science presentation, and a locally led activity.
Community Impact
Although still a relatively young initiative, the Hokianga Science Festival has already demonstrated positive outcomes, including:
Increased student confidence when presenting and explaining ideas
High levels of engagement and enthusiasm for science learning
Strengthened connections between kura through shared academic experience
Over time, the Festival aims to contribute to longer-term outcomes by encouraging students to pursue further science learning and consider pathways they may not otherwise have explored.
What Makes the Festival Distinct
The Hokianga Science Festival is unique in Aotearoa because it is:
Community-driven, with strong local leadership and ownership
Culturally grounded, following tikanga Māori and supporting bilingual presentation
Inclusive and accessible, welcoming a range of abilities and learning styles
Generous and reciprocal, with every presenting school receiving resources such as native trees for planting and science books
A healthy shared lunch is provided for all attendees, reinforcing manaakitanga and wellbeing.
Governance, Partnerships & Delivery
The Festival is delivered through the collective effort of:
Ako Hokianga trustees, who coordinate planning and delivery
Host kura, who lead on-the-day facilitation and student interviews
Community partners, including House of Science, Hauora Hokianga, and the Opononi / Omapere Lions Club
Volunteers who support setup, catering, and pack-down
This collaborative approach ensures the Festival remains responsive, locally relevant, and sustainable.
Feedback
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An opportunity for our rangatahi to present their findings, especially our shy tamariki . Watching them converse with others confidently is my highlight .
—2025 Feedback
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Highlight of the day: Explanations from students demonstrating knowledge of what they were presenting
—2025 Feedback
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What would you like to see next ? Same thing – first time being here and this is the first time that Kaikohe West School have put in a display
—2025 Feedback
Use of Funding & Support
Funding and in-kind support are used to:
Cover venue hire and essential facilities
Provide healthy food for participants and volunteers
Support resources and materials for student engagement
Enable participation by schools with limited access to resources
To date, the Festival has been funded primarily through Ako Hokianga, with additional support from community organisations and individual donors.
Sustainability & Future Growth
The long-term vision for the Hokianga Science Festival is for it to continue as a rotating, kura-hosted event, with schools taking increasing ownership of planning and delivery.
As venues, resources, and participation evolve, there is potential to:
Increase the number of participating schools
Broaden community involvement
Strengthen long-term educational impact
Support from funders and partners plays a key role in ensuring the Festival remains accessible, well-resourced, and sustainable.
Why Support the Hokianga Science Festival
By supporting the Hokianga Science Festival, funders and partners are investing in:
Equitable access to science education
Community-led, place-based learning
Cultural inclusion and student voice
Confidence, curiosity, and wellbeing for young people
Your support helps ensure that tamariki in the Hokianga have opportunities to explore, understand, and share the world around them through science.
Get Involved
If you are interested in supporting the Hokianga Science Festival through funding, partnership, or in-kind contribution, we would welcome the opportunity to korero further.