Skip Content

National Library kaimahi (from front left) Lynne Vincent, Lani Emery, Arlyn Palconit and DJ Kukutai Jones and (from back left) Hoani Skipper, Greg Marshall and Freda Rawiri will be demonstrating 3D printer use this week

Training for the new technology was held at the organisation’s national library based in Hamilton recently and kaimahi will be handing on their newfound 3D scanning, printing and editing suite skills.
 
Librarian DJ Kukutai Jones says the six-month pilot project will gauge how tauira and kaimahi are relating to and engaging with the 3D printer.

“This new technology will allow students to express their creativity in more dynamic ways which will contribute to their overall learning experience at the wānanga and future successes.

“Instead of drawing on paper and creating their items in 2D, they will be able to design and make solid 3D objects, using this state of the art technology.”

DJ says the software training has boosted team confidence and the library kaimahi are now ready to tackle 3D printer use demonstrations.
A gold coin koha will secure a supervised 3D printer “tutu” for kaimahi and tauira, he says.

If the 3D printer pilot project is sucessful a roll out to other wānanga sites will take place, says National Library lead Greg Marshall.

He says medical researchers are using the 3D-printed transformative technology to replace bones and are working on methods to recreate skin and vital organs starting with the pancreas or liver.

Printable objects also range from firearms to artwork.

Kaimahi made rabbit figurines, pencil cases and matau design fish hooks during their first 3D printer training session.

 


 Back to news & events

Published On: 03 June 2015

Article By: Alice Te Puni



Other Articles

  • 3 October 2023

    Wānanga supports organisation with staff professional development

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has been able to support an organisation with professional development, offreing te reo Māori classes to a group of their Wellington based kaimahi.

  • 28 September 2023

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa kaiako attending 2023 Toi Kiri Festival in Tauranga

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa will attend the prestigious Toi Kiri World Indigenous Arts Festival in Mt Maunganui for the first time this year. Eight kaiako (teachers) will participate in the festival, which gathers indigenous artists from around the world to showcase their art.

  • 25 September 2023

    Tūwhitia Symposium drives student success for underserved learners

    This week Te Wānanga o Aotearoa will host organisations from across the tertiary sector as they come together for the second annual Tūwhitia Symposium, where they will discuss and explore ways that work towards the continued drive of positive outcomes for underserved learners in Aotearoa.

  • 25 September 2023

    Oranga Tamariki continues to improve Māori cultural capability with support from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

    With the support of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Oranga Tamariki is making a continuous and conscious effort to strengthen the knowledge and respect for Māori culture amongst their kaimahi, as well as a commitment to better fulfil their Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.