Weaving pūtaiao Māori into materials science

18 September, 2025

Kua tīmata Te Wiki o te Reo Māori — celebrating 50 years. 

Highlighting here some of our research weaving pūtaiao Māori into materials science:

Catalytic removal of organic pollutants from water coupled with hydrogen production

This project involves synthesising a series of monometallic and mixed-metal clusters, and fully characterising them (using X-ray crystallography etc.) These will be utilized to make precisely defined active sites in photocatalysts which will be tested, allowing us to better understand performance of these catalysts. With guidance from our Pūtaiao Māori Research Programme Investigators and in partnership with local iwi, the successful candidate will engage with kaitiaki practices and demonstrate a genuine willingness to embrace Māori traditions and perspectives. This collaboration ensures the research respects cultural values while advancing innovative catalytic technologies for sustainable clean water and energy.

Weaving adsorptive power into harakeke for heavy metal removal

We’ve demonstrated that Harakeke leaves, our native taonga, can filter out nanosized contaminants like E. coli from waterways - but this needs a boost. This project will integrate pūtaiao Māori with advanced chemical techniques to weave Harakeke filters with the power to adsorb sub-nanosized toxic metal ions, like copper and arsenic. We aim to create a sustainable drinking water purification technology, protecting our people and the environment, now and future generations.

Some kupu that connect pūtaiao and matū:

Matū (materials)

Rangahau (research)

Taiwhanga pūtaiao (science laboratory)

Kaipūtaiao (scientist)

Read more here about how we celebrate Matariki values in our research.