Great Hall event inspires creative careers

The gala dinner midway through the 2025 Careers and Transition Educators Association (CATE) Conference was held in the Great Hall and sponsored by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.

The theme of this year’s CATE Conference “STEAM Towards the Future”, was focused on the crucial role science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics in shaping tomorrow’s workforce. Many speakers and sessions explored how future careers demand multi-disciplinary skills, cultural competence, and adaptability to technological change.

Head of Te Rewa o Puanga School of Music and Screen Arts, Professor Johnson Witehira Tamahaki, Ngāi Tū-te-auru, delivered a keynote speech that explored the connections during his own career between Matauranga Toi Māori, Creative Arts, Innovation and Engineering, emphasising the vital need for more Māori designers.

During the conference Massey’s Future Students team also led exclusive tours of the Pukeahu campus, offering careers advisors a firsthand look at the dynamic creative arts environment and facilities Massey offers.

Pro Vice Chancellor Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts Margaret Maile says the arts continue to play a crucial role in our society and economy.

“The creative arts fuel innovation, translate and transfer skills and capabilities across disciplines, and respond with resilience to all sort of disruptions.”

She says Massey’s presence throughout the CATE conference cemented its position as a destination for creative school leavers.

“Our graduate display was a wondeful showcase of the myriad of ways our students reach into their creative kete to address some of society’s biggest challenges, reconnect with their community and culture, and wrestle with technology, identity and meaning.”