Australia (Commonwealth)_ In an inspiring celebration of creativity and innovation, young people and students from South Auckland were encouraged to unleash their potential during a standout event held as part of Tech Week 2025 in Aotearoa. Organized by The Cause Collective and themed “Bringing South Auckland to the Tech World,” the initiative featured immersive demonstrations of cutting-edge technology, including AI-powered interviews, Holobox displays, and fogscreen projections.
The event aimed to bridge the gap between South Auckland’s vibrant youth and the rapidly evolving tech industry, reminding participants that the future of technology isn’t confined to Silicon Valley—it is within reach and rooted in their communities.
The showcase brought together high school students, emerging creatives, and community leaders, who engaged with representatives from major technology companies such as Apple, Spark, Moa Thought, DNA Digital, and Ideas at Work. These industry leaders offered insights into the endless possibilities technology holds when fused with culture, creativity, and purpose.
Muliagatele Danny “Brotha D” Leaoasavai’i, the event’s creative lead, emphasized the importance of exposing young Māori and Pasifika students—many of whom have distinctive, creative learning styles—to a broader spectrum of technological fields. He highlighted that traditional perceptions of technology often limit its scope to computing or cybersecurity, overlooking its creative dimensions.
“Raising awareness and providing exposure to different forms of technology is incredibly important,” Brotha D noted. “Technology isn’t just about coding or IT—it includes animation, design, music production, and other creative areas where Māori and Pasifika students naturally thrive.”
His motivation for the event was rooted in a desire to represent South Auckland proudly and authentically within the tech landscape. “I’ve always flown the flag for South Auckland wherever I go, and I saw this as a unique opportunity to showcase how our community can innovate and lead within the tech space,” he added.
Interactive exhibitions allowed students to explore creative technologies hands-on, reinforcing the message that technology is a tool for self-expression and empowerment. Graphic designer Mataafa Pio Mulipola reflected on the impact the event had on many attendees, observing that several young participants discovered new interests and talents they had not previously considered.
“A lot of young people came in unsure about their future career paths,” said Mulipola. “But after exploring animation, design, photography, and other disciplines, they began to identify their strengths and even envision their own creative ventures.”
One such success story is DJ Taivairanga, a former student from Pakuranga who completed The Cause Collective’s tech course. Initially uncertain about his direction, Taivairanga found his passion for graphic design through the program.
“At first, I just saw design as a starting point,” he shared. “But over time, I really began to understand what graphic design could offer, and it’s now something I want to pursue further. I’ve learned that it’s important to express your mind—don’t worry about what others think.”
Students from Papatoetoe High School also expressed their enthusiasm. Rishka Chand, inspired by her experience, revealed her aspiration to become a cloud architect, a field that combines creativity with technical expertise.
“I want to design web pages and start learning to code,” said Chand. “It’s something I see as very valuable for my future.”
Her classmate, Eshana Parapilly-Bijo, echoed the sense of motivation sparked by the event. “This was really eye-opening,” she said. “There aren’t many opportunities like this, and it’s made me want to explore the tech world more seriously.”
Tech Week, New Zealand’s premier festival of technology and innovation, took place between 19–25 May across 18 regions. The South Auckland event served not only as a celebration of technology but also as a powerful platform for empowering the next generation of innovators—particularly those from underrepresented communities—to envision a future they can help shape.
