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Pasifika teens in focusing on artificial intelligence.
About 30 students from 11 high schools have been at a hackathon in Ōtara, looking at how they can use technology to support themselves and their communities.
Students from ASDAH Māngere, Mission Heights, Edmund Hillary, Massey High, McAuley, De La Salle, Kelston Girls, Kelston Intermediate, Māngere College, Henderson High and Southern Cross Campus attended the event.
They collaborated on ideas on how they could use A.I, to their benefit over six rounds, with prizes awarded at the end of the event.
Prizes included movie vouchers, board games and laptops.
Zoya Ali of Mission Heights Junior College said she was "really nervous" and unsure of how she would perform but said the event was a "cool project".
Project lead Ruth Langi said live music, food, fun and a welcoming atmosphere were essential factors for the students to feel comfortable enough to be creative.
She says Pasifika youth are naturally creative but need the right kind of encouragement.
"Some of them have never been exposed to this kind of stuff before, so it's just a good opportunity for the kids to get another perspective on tech."
Saimon Moala, of Southern Cross Campus, wants to learn more about technology as he aims to become a technician.
"Pasifika are underrepresented in Information technology positions, so it's very important for us," says Christian Malitai, a teacher from ASDAH Māngere.
He says he supports any event like the hackathon that encourages Pasifika youth to enter a career in technology.
Failoa Famili Trust partnered with Microsoft New Zealand to make the event possible.
"The way of the future is going to be technology, and so we don't want our Pasifika to be left behind," says Naomi Saluni Tavau, Head of Failoa Famili.
Education Industry Executive at Microsoft Lydia Kronawetter described the event as "awesome when considering that the next generation will inevitably enter a tech-influenced career."
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