Over the holidays, I attended a textile collage and mindful stitching workshop led by Sally Reynolds. The purpose of the workshop was to explore creative textile techniques such as gelli plate printing, collage layering, and slow stitching, with a focus on sustainability and personal expression.
Key Learnings & Techniques
During the workshop, I explored monoprinting on fabric using gelli plates, experimenting with
both natural materials (like leaves) and glossy magazine images. The font transfer was only
achievable with magazine paper, which was fascinating to test. I also learnt new stitches such as couch stitch and gained confidence knowing I have been teaching correct stitching methods.
Impact on Teaching Practice
This experience has inspired me to create a new Textile Manipulation & Collage unit plan for my Year 7/8 students. They will explore printing, layering, and stitching to create textile landscapes that reflect culture or place, which can be transformed into decorative strips that wrap around jars. This will connect sustainability, creativity, and wellbeing through mindful making.
5. Reflection & Next Steps
This workshop was a really positive and affirming experience. The small group setting provided valuable one-on-one feedback, and I left feeling inspired and confident in both my creative and teaching practice. My next step is to trial these techniques with students, introducing mono printing and fabric collage as part of our sustainability and upcycling focus in textiles.
I am excited to share that Professor Johnson Witehira will be joining us as a keynote speaker for the TENZ 2025 Conference in Wellington! This is a milestone moment, not just for our conference but for all of us who are passionate about authentic integration of Mātauranga Māori into technology education.
Professor Witehira is the new head of Te Rewa o Puanga School of Music and Screen Arts at Massey University. He is an artist, designer, and academic of Tamahaki and Ngāpuhi descent, has been a trailblazer in decolonising design and bringing Māori visual culture into the mainstream. His influence is seen across public spaces, typography, and education, where he has led work in developing design systems, spaces and products that are informed by mātauranga Māori. His work is not just about aesthetics—it’s about reclaiming identity, challenging colonial narratives, and ensuring Māori culture is represented and celebrated with mana and integrity.
How Professor Witehira Shifted My Thinking
I first encountered Professor Witehira’s thought-provoking work through a quote in Urbis magazine:
“You can take inspiration from a culture, or you can just take from a culture.”
That simple yet powerful statement profoundly changed my perspective on cultural engagement. It made me critically examine my own approach to design briefs, tikanga and how they might look in an education setting. I began the process of ensuring that when I integrated Māori narratives and traditions into my teaching and learning programme, it was done with respect, understanding, and authenticity—not just as an aesthetic choice or a token gesture.
This reflection led me to embed Mātauranga Māori in my teaching and learning programmes in an authentic way. I started to move beyond simply acknowledging Māori design or loosely referencing Māori designers’ work as an aesthetic and instead integrated pūrākau (Māori stories) into my students’ design briefs. The result? More meaningful, context-rich projects where students weren’t just creating—they were engaging in cultural storytelling through design.
Table design by a year 11 student telling the pūrākau of Ranginui and Papatūānuku – legs represent Tāne separating the glass top from the floor.
Implementing Mātauranga Māori in Technology
Inspired by Johnson Witehira’s work and philosophy, I began delivering interactive workshops on Mātauranga Māori in Technology for kaiako. I wanted teachers and students to see the richness of Māori narratives as a foundation for innovative design. Some of the hands-on activities I developed encouraged students to engage deeply with Māori narratives and design principles. One approach involved designing with pūrākau, where teachers were asked to engage in a Māori story as the foundation for a design brief, whether it was a product, game, or piece of wearable body adornment. A key aspect of these activities was understanding tikanga in design, where teachers were able to examine the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation through presenting their design idea on completion. Through this, they explored how tikanga (protocols) influence design processes, material choices, and storytelling, fostering a deeper respect for Māori perspectives in technology.
For me, this is not just about a conference speaker—it’s about a transformational opportunity for technology education in Aotearoa. I cannot wait to sit in that audience, listen, learn, and be inspired once again.
This is going to be a conference to remember, and I hope to see many of you there, ready to be inspired, challenge perspectives, and take action in our own teaching and learning practices.
Posted with support from the NEX Networks of Expertise
Story by: Belinda Curran – HOD Technology St Patrick’s College Silverstream – Hato Patariki Māwaihakona
Over the past two years the Engineering Department at St Patrick’s College for boys in Silverstream has been collaborating with Real Steel, an ever changing dynamic company which offers a wide range of career pathways from entry level positions for school leavers to mechatronic expert positions after university training. A company where all are working together to produce cutting edge technology for manufacturing components, to designing and building specialist machinery for industry.
Real Steel has been operating in the South Pacific Industrial Park since 2007 at 24 Railway Avenue, Upper Hutt: a local industry interested in giving back to the community and trying to change common misconceptions and perceptions of engineering as a career.
The Beginning of the Partnership
Luke Mathieson, the Managing Director of Real Steel, approached a number of high schools in the Upper Hutt vicinity in 2022. As the HOD Technology, I traded visits with Luke and it became apparent that our engineering department was operating with technology from the 1950’s and therefore not properly preparing students for a future pathway into the engineering profession. However, I had just upgraded our computer suite with the intention of engaging 3D software. So when Luke suggested a collaboration, we jumped at the opportunity to get involved.
Each year we start off with a site visit to Real Steel. The tour includes an introduction to the design suite, a tour of all of the machinery. Luke Mathieson introducing the press brake to the students. This press brake will be forming all bends in students’ designs.
Luke, myself, and Aaron Gamble (lead designer at Real Steel) met to discuss potential projects and thus the collaboration was born. Students were given the opportunity to build a toolbox and then go on to design a firepit.
Engineering Projects: Toolboxes and Firepits
The year starts off with the students learning how to build their toolbox using Solidworks, specifically the sheet metal function. This is a predetermined design and Real Steel has laser cut the sheet metal ready for us to fabricate and assemble, supplying the class set of parts. Without the ongoing support, guidance and technology of Real Steel, the students would not have had the opportunity to study and produce engineering components that reflect real-world experiences and learning. Real Steel generosity has enabled the boys to engage in tool box and firepit manufacturing at Level 1, and given them the opportunity to machine ‘stems’ and ‘triple clamps’ for the Level 2 mini bikes.
At the end of 2023, St Patrick’s College Silverstream (Stream) invested in purchasing the license for Solidworks, industry-standard software. Thanks to Aaron I managed to do a quick upskill over the summer and introduced the teaching and learning of Solidworks in our department’s curriculum. Students learnt how to use the basics of this program to create the toolbox and then they went on to utilise the knowledge to develop their own design of a firepit. We used Solidworks and our little laser cutter here at Stream to do some rapid prototyping of scale 1:1 cardboard model firepits.
Aaron was available to help me if there was anything I needed, which gave me the confidence to embark on this venture. It was a privilege to have access to such valuable knowledge and I would like to thank Aaron and Luke for their continued support.
Students learning how to use Solidworks.
Aaron Gamble (Head Designer) and Luke Mathieson (Managing Director) of Real Steel discuss design ideas with Lukas Lafrentz in Design Metalwork class (DSM100), providing feedback on student laser cut cardboard models before the designs go to Real Steel to be cut and formed. Once the designs were signed off by Aaron, the students then prepared their digital files for industry. There is a very specific criteria required as the machinist on the factory floor will need to use these files to produce the outcomes the students want making this great real world learning for these lads.
Through this incredibly generous collaboration with Real Steel students are able to produce some quality outcomes.
The Real Steel Manufacturing Process
Whilst the files are being processed at Real Steel the students back at Silverstream are learning how to weld.
Luke Mathieson, the Managing Director of Real Steel, has stepped in and lifted our engineering department out of the 1950’s and brought us into the 21st century. A specific goal of Luke’s from the onset of this collaboration was to increase the number of students opting for this subject area. Over previous years about 25% of Level 1 students progressed into Level 2. With Luke’s involvement we now have a 95% return and expect that to be our ‘new normal’ as our relationship with Real Steel develops.
As we engage a wider range of students into engineering with the support of industry, future collaboration with the Physics department will see students design their own electric vehicle. This will result in budding mechanical engineering students who have the opportunity to develop their skills in class and in Hutt Valley local industries.
It has been a great opportunity for the students to see their skills in action, and for them to experience a workplace where every member of the team is happy in their work and Real Steel offers encouragement at every step. It is a privilege to work alongside the team at Real Steel.
Conclusion: A Message for Other Teachers
As we continue to develop our partnership with Real Steel, it’s clear that collaboration with industry is an invaluable experience for students. For other teachers considering similar partnerships, my advice is to seize the opportunity to connect with local businesses and industries. These collaborations enrich the learning experience and also open up pathways for students to engage in real-world projects that equip them with the skills they need for future careers. The support and knowledge shared by industry partners can have a profound impact on students’ learning journeys, and it’s a privilege to work alongside them.
Last Saturday, "Mātauranga Māori and its Effective Use in Technology" was the kaupapa for a one day PLD event held at Kaiapoi High School thanks to a collaboration between TENZ & PPTA Te Wehengarua, Waitaha Canterbury.
The day opened with mihi whakatau from Ngāi Tūāhuriri, the local Ngāi Tahu hapū, with addresses from Daniel Hāpuku (PPTA Te Wehengarua Te Huarahi), Thomas Newton (PPTA Te Wehengarua Regional Chairperson), Jason Reid (Kaiapoi High School Tumuaki), Te Aomihia Taua-Glassie (PPTA Te Wehengarua Māori Vice President), and Hamish Johnston (TENZ / PPTA Te Wehengarua Regional Secretary).
The kaupapa for the day was centred around embracing Mātauranga Māori and showing its potential in the field of technology. Attendees were treated to a range of workshops and exceptional speakers including: Lynne Harata Te-Aika, Nicole Solomon, Hamuera Kahi, Patty Robinson, Daniel Hāpuku, Catherine Frost, and Pip Osborne.
“I found the whole day inspirational.” - Andrea
“A welcoming, rich, and insightful kaupapa with interesting speakers, activities, experiences to help teachers on their journey. An absolute delight, inspiration and something I will rave about to others” - Kate
Keynote speaker Lynne Harata Te Aika’s captivating presentation explored how cultural narratives shape design. She showcased the integration of Māori art and civic development in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Residents of the city were recommended to take part in the walking tour led by the Matapopore Trust. The Trust’s influence can be seen throughout the central city with diverse and thought provoking design projects that continue to build upon, and recognise, the histories of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
“Fantastic workshops , wish it could be a 2-3 day PD!” - Sally
“I was learning weaving, but we were actually weaving personal connections too.” - Rachel
A standout takeaway from this event was the profound impact of narratives on design. These narratives, rooted in the lived experiences of individuals, groups, and wider communities serve as authentic contexts that shape the technological landscape.
