Despite growing awareness around diversity in STEM, engineering remains one of the most gender-imbalanced sectors in Aotearoa. Research shows that young women are more likely to pursue STEM pathways when they can see relatable role models and feel a sense of belonging in the field. In 2026, the Women in Engineering (WIE) Academy at the University of Auckland was launched to help build a stronger pipeline of women entering engineering, with the goal of reaching 30 per cent women enrolment by 2030. The academy works with secondary school students across Aotearoa through mentoring, events, holiday camps, workshops, tutoring, networking opportunities and school outreach programmes. In this article, the WIE team shares why diversity matters and the opportunities available to schools and teachers to encourage women to enter engineering fields.
Why targeted outreach matters
Research consistently highlights that STEM environments with a higher proportion of women function as ‘safe spaces’ where gender biases are neutralised, and competence is validated. The Academy’s own longitudinal research, published in the peer-reviewed paper “Women in engineering: Inspiring school students to pursue the ‘E’ in STEM,” (available here), reinforces this. By removing the pressure of gender-role expectations, students are freer to build the ‘STEM identity’ necessary to persist in the field. The Academy helps create and sustain an environment where all women students interested in engineering can find a sense of belonging in an inclusive community centred on engineering career pathways.
This targeted engagement has bolstered the number of women engineering degree applicants by nearly 14 per cent between 2025 and 2026, and women now make up 25 per cent of Part I engineering enrolments at the University of Auckland — up one per cent from the previous year — while the academy’s digital community has expanded to more than 400 students from 80 schools across Aotearoa.
WIE Project Manager, Ashleigh Fox, says there are still too many young women at school who do not realise what engineering is, or see it as a career pathway. “Our goal is to ensure these women have every opportunity to find out for themselves if any of the 10 different engineering specialisations we offer at the University of Auckland is appealing and empower them to make fully informed decisions on what to study at high school and beyond.”
Fox says ‘social recognition’ — seeing one’s interests validated by passionate role models — is a key driver for women to choose a STEM career, and that ultimately, WIE is working to ensure young women in Aotearoa know there is a community waiting to welcome them into engineering.
Students can join the Academy for free by signing up here. Members have access to study support, workshops and events, mentoring, industry connections, newsletters and a supportive community of engineering staff and students.
Women in Engineering Holiday Camp
The Academy hosted its annual free Women in Engineering Holiday Camp in April 2026, welcoming 54 Year 11 students to campus for an immersive three-day program of hands-on activities showcasing different aspects of engineering.
More than 40 casual staff, 20 academics and industry professionals volunteered to deliver the programme, which focused on disaster relief, specifically providing clean water and hygiene in an emergency response. The students toured the Newmarket Campus (engineering research facilities including Wind Tunnel Hall), met with professional engineers, explored the Smart Digital and Drone labs at the city campus and attended group fitness classes at Hiwa and visited the student residence, Waipārūrū Hall.
Before the camp, almost half the students surveyed were unsure what engineers did, and only a third knew which Year 12 and 13 subjects were needed to enter an engineering degree. Afterwards, every student surveyed said they understood what engineers do, the types of careers engineering can lead to, and what subjects they needed to study at school to get there.
One parent shared that: “This 3-day camp has ignited a spark within my daughter, which was something I was secretly hoping for… Thank you…for the opportunity, time, and effort given to our rangatahi!” Student attendees also highlighted the value of the experience, with one saying: “The holiday camp and other events really teach people and help them better understand what engineering is about… I think all of us now have a much better understanding of what engineering is.”
Camp applications usually open at the start of March each year and students do not need to be members of the Academy to attend — the camp is open to all students, especially those who have not had many chances to engage with WIE or participate in extra-curricular STEM activities generally.
View past camps | Photos and more testimonials
School and teacher opportunities
The Academy also offers:
• Free school workshops: The academy brings engineering into classrooms through activities such as Aqualibrium, Smart Carts and Spheros. In 2025, the team visited 20 schools and engaged more than 2,000 students through workshops, Q&A panels, careers expos and on-campus events. While most engagement takes place across Auckland and surrounding regions, the programme is also expanding into Wellington schools this year.
• Academic subject support: Students are supported through online study mentoring and NCEA Level 2 revision hubs during the Term 3 holidays. Following the sessions, students’ average confidence in STEM topics increased from 2.5 to 4.3 out of 5.
• New partnerships: A new scholarship funded by the Jarvis Family Trust will support one academy member each year for the next five years, helping reduce barriers for women entering engineering. The academy has also welcomed new industry sponsor Vector Limited.
Find out more
Visit the Women in Engineering Academy website to book a workshop or sign up for the Schools and Whānau newsletter, or email the team.