In 2023 the Ministry of Education confirmed funding till 2027 which will support Pūhoro expansion of the programme to reach over 6000 rangatahi across Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The Pūhoro STEMM Academy has become a transformational platform for Māori secondary students providing a pathway towards tertiary careers in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Mātauranga). The academy has grown to support over 2000 rangatahi and partners with schools in 12 regions including, Manawatū, Christchurch, Auckland South & Central, Waikato, Rotorua, Horowhenua/Kāpiti, Northland, Hawkes Bay, Whanganui and Ruapehu.

The Pūhoro STEM Academy was created in response to concerning statistics for rangatahi Māori NCEA achievement in the sciences and mathematics. Pūhoro works directly with secondary school rangatahi and their whānau providing students with kaupapa Māori mentoring, tutoring and the opportunity to attend hands-on science wānanga at tertiary institutes within the regions it operates, along with industry internships to help them navigate and gain experience in science career pathways and technology related industries.

Pūhoro STEMM Academy Manahautū, Kemp Reweti says the commitment from the government has been critical in enabling Pūhoro to drive change. “Thanks to the support of the government we have been able to shift the narrative for Māori in STEMM, opening pathways to careers in STEMM for thousands of rangatahi from high school, tertiary and into employment. We see this impact reflected positively through improved NCEA pass rates, high transitions from high school to tertiary and tertiary to post-graduate, tauira internship participation and the number of tauira entering the STEMM workforce,” said Kemp.