On The Up: Rotorua’s Digital Natives Academy receives $660,000 funding boost
A Rotorua technology training organisation that helps struggling students re-engage at school has received a $660,000 funding boost.
The Government has invested $330,000 into Digital Natives Academy. This was matched by local and national charities including Rotorua Trust and Bay Trust, taking its total to $660,000.
Digital Natives Academy (DNA), established in 2014, helps young Rotorua people become creators, developers and producers of technology.
The award-winning academy focuses on digital equity and Mātauranga Māori - the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of te taiao (the natural world).
The free classes are NCEA-accredited and include subjects such as 3D animation and VFX, game development, website development, narrative storytelling and robotics.
It is based on Fenton St and the Rotorua Daily Post reported last year that more than 7000 students had been through its doors.
Youth Minister James Meager announced on Friday the academy would be funded to deliver two youth development programmes over one year.
Meager said the first programme was for those aged 12 to 15 and focused on developing digital technology skills and capabilities to increase school engagement.
DNA education operations and systems manager Marcus Powell told the Rotorua Daily Post it found some intermediate-aged students were struggling at school and starting to “fall off the education pathway”.
The mainstream system “wasn’t quite catering” to their needs or interests a lot of the time.
DNA found many were interested in digital technology, and engaging with them on this was helpful for many students.
It also helped teach better habits and self-management.
Powell said the academy was “stoked” to learn the Ministry of Youth Development had approved its funding application.
He said the money would allow the academy to resume school visits.
Powell said the organisation started off doing a lot of work in schools, but paused these for a year when funding and priorities changed.
“It’s nice to find a way to go back out to them again.”
He thanked all funders: “Without them we would not be able to continually do this”.
Powell said the second programme was to help 15-to 24-year-olds address the transition between education and employment or training.
In a statement, Rotorua MP Todd McClay said the funding for Digital Natives Academy was well-deserved recognition.
McClay hosted a group of academy students at Parliament two years ago.
“Their exhibition in the Beehive demonstrated how the academy is closing the technology gap and improving the lives of young people in Rotorua.
“For more than 10 years the academy has found fun, practical ways to get young people into high tech. It has proven its worth in keeping kids engaged in education.”
Trust’s rangitahi programmes funded
Meager also confirmed Rotorua’s Te Puna Ariki Charitable Trust would receive $105,000 to deliver two initiatives supporting young people’s education and “work-readiness skills”.
Rotorua Trust, Department of Internal Affairs, Geyser Community Foundation, Bay Trust and Te Taumata o Ngāti Whakaue also contributed a combined $130,000 over one year.
Trust chief executive Te Rika Temara-Benfell said one programme would support wāhine aged 12 to 14 to access new life skills and opportunities, and to unlock their potential and confidence.
The second programme would support young people, particularly tāne, to access qualifications, job opportunities and volunteer in community projects.
Temara-Benfell said this was the first time it had contracted with a government ministry for a service.
“It was really important for us that we were able to meet the ministry … kanohi ki te kanohi [face to face] and be very, very clear about our values and the way that we like to do things and how we care for our young people.”
He said it found the “sweet spot” between ministry requirements and sticking to its goals, values and aspirations for rangatahi.
Meager said more than 400 young people would benefit from the two funding partnerships.
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.