He Puna Pūtaiao is a programme for Year 10 Māori students from a selection of Christchurch schools.

Puna means to well up or to flow, so symbolically represents youth or rangatahi. Its meaning may also incorporate research because in a sense research is meant to flow out and create meaningfulness so as to fill the kete or baskets of knowledge. Pūtaiao is science, so He Puna Pūtaiao connotes research, youth and science.

He Puna Pūtaiao engages students in the culture of science by involving them in scientific research. Using the context of water quality in Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) the students are mentored in literature reviews, and collecting and analysing data in the field, before presenting their findings both in e-book format and as a research poster displayed at a Pō Whakanui at the end of the programme.

This year six students (Kadence Watson-Hall, Willow Tiopira, Alishia Williams, Justace Joseph-Davis, Tailah Davis-Joseph and Zara Lockhart) represented Linwood College at the He Puna Putaiao programme along with teachers Mr Singh and Ms Johnson. Past student representation has included Piper Stewart (Head Girl 2019) and Orion Tipuna (Dux 2019).