New sport adding up for Māori and Pacific youth

It’s fast, furious, and - judging by the students’ faces - a whole heap of fun: the Auckland Maths Challenge is underway!

The competition is rapidly gaining momentum as a vibrant celebration of Māori and Pacific excellence in mathematics, and is emerging as a new team sport for those who excel in the subject.

Katalina Ma, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s Pathways Manager with Schools and Community Engagement, co-founded the initiative with former University maths lecturer Josephina Tamatoa; the hotly contested event offers a culturally affirming space for junior students to thrive in STEM.

Since 2019, it has grown from just six schools competing across south Auckland to more than 29 participating schools – including primary, intermediate and secondary students from across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

“The combined events are always good, as it’s a battle of south and east versus central and west Auckland,” says Katalina Ma.

The Auckland Maths Challenge hosted an electrifying event at St Peter’s College on 7 August, where eight schools competed with Year 7 and Year 8 teams comprised of Māori and Pacific students. Students raced to collaboratively solve questions, with team runners sprinting to the examiners (hopefully with the correct answer), cheered on loudly by peers and teachers.

Ma says many students have discovered the thrill of solving complex maths problems while unlocking new confidence in a subject they may never have considered a sport - until now.

Born out of their shared secondary schooling experiences as two of very few Pasifika students in their STEM subject classes, Ma recalls Tamatoa first approaching her with the idea.

The pair wanted to offer something different, hoping more Māori and Pacific students would put themselves forward for their school Mathex team - a high-speed team maths race for school students that’s run for more than 40 years.

“We created this challenge to flip the narrative,” says Ma. “Our Māori and Pacific students are brilliant, and they deserve to be seen, celebrated and supported in spaces where they can shine. The Auckland Maths Challenge is about more than numbers and problems - it’s about identity, confidence and connection.”

The format engages students in a fast-paced, problem-solving environment, fostering a sense of pride as they form friendships across the Auckland region and see themselves reflected in the world of mathematics.

“We wanted to build on something that already exists (Mathex) and make it accessible to our Pasifika community so they can participate with confidence,” says Ma.

“We want our young people to know that maths is for them. This is about opening doors - to university, to careers in tech and science, and also to leadership in their own communities.
“When students realise they’re good at maths, it changes how they see themselves and what’s possible for their future.”

With the Auckland Maths Challenge continuing to gain wider appeal, Ma says she’s grateful for the many who have stepped up to support.

“With increasing interest from schools and communities, we’re fortunate to have the expertise of Professional Teaching Fellow Ana Nicholson from the Department of Mathematics, who has played a key role in developing questions and leading engaging sessions in south Auckland.”

Tapping into Pacific Potential

Associate Dean Pacific from the Faculty of Business and Economics, Sione Taufa, attended one of the heats and saw first-hand the enthusiasm and talent displayed by the students.

"Watching our Pacific students thrive, enjoy themselves, and push each other to be the very best they can be was inspiring. You could see the energy, talent, and determination in every moment of the competition.

“At the University of Auckland Business School, we see initiatives like this as a powerful way to tap into the potential of our Pacific learners - transforming not only individual lives, but also uplifting families and wider communities,” says Taufa.

“We were proud to support this event and we fully back the incredible work that Katalina Ma and her team are doing to create opportunities and pathways for our young people to succeed."

With the final round of the 2025 Challenge expected to host up to 30 teams, Ma says the Auckland Maths Challenge continues to grow as a movement celebrating Māori and Pacific brilliance in STEM - and fostering a love of learning maths.