Catalyst

Catalyst is a transformative, high-value programme designed to unleash the full potential of Year 12 secondary school students who exhibit passion and capacity for growth. Inspired by the definition of a catalyst in chemistry, the programme embraces the fundamentals in our rangatahi, however, aims to accelerate the rate of their development.

With Catalyst, we recognise and nurture the talents of high achieving learners, providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support to excel in university and beyond. The programme focuses on demonstrating the real-world applicability of curriculum-related concepts and brings students onto campus to connect with our spaces and people ahead of their tertiary journey.

Catalyst has been developed in partnership with high schools and University research centres. The programme was piloted in 2024 and attracted 160 students from 19 different schools across Auckland. In 2025, we aim to replicate the success of the pilot year and expand the programme by offering HASS (Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine) specific events, as well as inviting a larger audience.

Participating University research centers and programmes:

2025 Dates

Catalyst STEM (100 pax)

1 April 2025

Catalyst Pacific (70 pax)

Day One of Two: 7 May 2025
Day Two of Two: 8 May 2025

Catalyst Māori (70 pax) – overnight

Day One of Two: 4 June 2025
Day Two of Two: 5 June 2025

Catalyst HASS (100 pax)

17 July 2025