To address the underrepresentation of Māori women in engineering and engineering trades, it is imperative to understand the experiences of those already engaged in these fields. This study focuses on the lived experience of five Māori women in New Zealand and hopes to inspire more Māori women to join these professions. The study explored three pivotal phases of women’s lives through in-depth interviews: background and upbringing, experiences during education, and encounters in the profession. The research aims to identify barriers encountered by these women and the strategies they employed to navigate their journeys. Common themes, which emerged from this study include identity development, stereotyping, cultural identity, determination, and support and encouragement. Lack of information about different careers in schools has resulted most participants taking an indirect pathway to their professions. This underscores the significance of offering timely career guidance in schools about different professions. The study also highlights the importance of dismantling gender stereotypes from an early age and engaging in hands-on activities to ignite women’s interest in engineering and engineering trades. These stories illustrate how resilience and support networks empower women to achieve professional success, emphasising the significance of respecting cultural identity for fostering equity and inclusion. ©, Engineers Australia.
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