Digital Natives Academy

09/06/2026

Massive shout outs to all the rangatahi who came to join the Taumata Entrepreneurs Programme (TEP) last night at DNA.

This 10-week start up course was created to encourage more young people into business, helping develop growth mindsets, teaching business basics and building confidence.

Last night was all about whakawhanaungatanga, introducing each other, sharing our ideas and talking about our dreams. It was cool to hear from a few of our rangatahi who already have their own businesses.

We’ll be following their journey over the coming weeks.

Big mihi to matua Hutana Maxwell and Potaua Biasiny-Tule for their guidance, to DNA for hosting and to Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue for supporting this innovative kaupapa. It’s time to shine!

27/05/2026

Incredibly excited to be working with Touch Media (www.touchmedia.co.nz) and Te Arawa Fisheries on this innovative project. Together, we’re bringing rangatahi, kaumātua, mātauranga Māori, drone technology and digital storytelling together to support High-Tech Kaitiakitanga.

This project is about strengthening the protection of our moana, building rangatahi capability and creating new ways to understand climate impacts through indigenous knowledge, data rangatiratanga and innovation.

Guardians of the Moana: High-Tech Kaitiakitanga is designed to equip rangatahi with the tools, knowledge and confidence to monitor, protect and tell the

27/05/2026

Student Works Wednesday

This week we’re sharing an awesome AMV created by two of our students working together. They used CapCut to edit and bring their ideas to life, showing how creativity, teamwork, and time spent experimenting can turn into something really cool.

Our rangatahi love exploring new skills in their free time, and this video is a great example of what can happen when they put in the effort and have fun with the process.

Ka mau te wehi! We’re proud of the mahi they’ve created. 🙏

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/FH4b5yNbhmw?si=TA_bQSxosFyyQF2E

25/05/2026

Whakawhanaungatanga is a big part of what we do here at Native Tech.

We encourage our rangatahi to connect with each other, build friendships, and find others who share similar interests, both on and beyond the screens.

Our space is not just about gaming or digital skills, it is about belonging, confidence, and creating a place where our rangatahi feel seen, supported, and connected.

21/05/2026

To end the week, we wanted to share this whakataukī:

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.”

My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective.

This resonates with us here at Native Tech because we believe no one succeeds alone. We strive to create a place of belonging, where rangatahi feel supported, connected, and encouraged to grow together.

Whether it is earning credits, building friendships, discovering new hobbies, or simply showing up each day, every step matters.

Small wins are still wins.

This whakataukī is attributed to Paterangi of Ngāti Kahungunu and reminds us that success is strengthened through the support and contribution of many.

19/05/2026

Level 2 Content Design student work.

For privacy reasons, student names will not be shared, but we still want to celebrate the awesome mahi being created in class.

In Level 2 Content Design, our students are challenged to create their own custom drink flavours and branding concepts. This could be based on Coke, energy drinks, Sprite, or any other drink idea they want to explore.

For this project, one of our students took something they really enjoy and used it as inspiration to create their own Sprite flavour concept. We love seeing our rangatahi bring their interests, creativity, and personality into their work.

Here at Native Tech and Digital Natives Academy, we encourage students to build from what they already love. Whether it is gaming, art, anime, music, sport, or design, their passions can become a pathway into learning new skills, building confidence, and creating work they are proud of.

Awesome mahi from our Level 2 Content Design class.

17/05/2026

Respect is one of our main values here at Native Tech/Digital Natives Academy.

Respect means how we treat ourselves, each other, our spaces, and our environment. It shows in the way we listen, support, and uplift one another every day.

When we move with respect, we create a safe space where our rangatahi can grow, learn, and feel valued.

Listen. Support. Uplift.

11/05/2026

The journey begins by finding your talent, building your mastery, and connecting with the people and pathways that can shape your future, that is where you will find your purpose and passion.

Native Tech enrolments are now open for July 2026. This is our most limited intake yet, with fewer funded places available than usual.

If your rangatahi is ready for something practical, creative, and connected to real pathways into training, employment and future opportunities, now is the time to start the process.

✅ Request a course outline.
✅ Book a tour.
✅ Come and see what Native Tech is about.

📌 www.nativetech.ac.nz

11/05/2026

Our rangatahi are just amazing! Big ups to our team who have been guiding and mentoring them on their journey. Creating forever memories and leaderships skills that are priceless.