Press Release: July 15th
EVolocity, a charitable trust providing students across New Zealand with the opportunity to design, build, and race their own electric vehicles, is proud to announce the appointment of Jason Maraku as its new Chief Executive.
At EVolocity, a different kind of race is taking place— one to inspire and educate the next generation of engineers and innovators. The programme offers hands-on experience in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), adding to the school technology curriculum.
The EVolocity Programme provides an incubator for engineering excellence and innovation and opens career pathways for young New Zealanders. Since 2014, more than 6,000 year 7 to 13 students across Aotearoa New Zealand have completed EVolocity’s national STEM programme. The experience includes participating in interactive workshops (exploring topics like teamwork, planning, fabrication, and electronics), through to race day which sees the rangatahi compete against each other in a series of regional competitions that test the aerodynamic drag, speed, and vehicle manoeuvrability. Along the way, they learn about technology, clean tech, and sustainable engineering.
Jason Maraku brings over two decades of experience in education, youth development and specialist expertise in STEM. During his career Jason has developed STEM initiatives locally and on the global stage, he is a current board member of the World Math Team Championships, co-founder of Tamaiti Mua, a partnership with Ngā Mauri Papa Pounamu Ora Trust that aims to uplift under-represented rangatahi, and he established the world-renowned International Programme for Gifted and Talented Children at Qatar Academy in Doha.
Since 2021, Jason has been teaching robotics and engineering at Monrad Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga in Palmerston North, where he also leads the school’s EVolocity programme. His work at the grassroots level has deepened his belief in the power of hands-on STEM learning to inspire and empower young people.
“Hands-on STEM experiences can change the course of a young person’s life,” says Jason. “EVolocity proves that when we put the tools of innovation in students’ hands, they don’t just build vehicles – they build confidence, skills, and a vision for leading Aotearoa’s clean energy transition. I’m honoured to champion this programme as it empowers more rangatahi to become the problem-solvers our future needs.”
Jason will continue his teaching role at Monrad, alongside the EVolocity Chief Executive role which is part-time.
The EVolocity Board welcomes Jason’s appointment and sees his proven leadership and passion for youth learning and diversity as key to continuing to strengthen and develop the EVolocity programme.
“Jason brings an incredible depth of experience, palpable enthusiasm and his life-long commitment to inclusive education. This combination sets him apart, and we are thrilled that he has accepted the Chief Executive role.” says Julian Inch, EVolocity’s Board Chair. “We’re excited to have Jason on board to lead EVolocity forward.”
Jason succeeds Sarah Fitzgerald, who led EVolocity through five years of sustained growth, including navigating the intense challenges of COVID. The Board is particularly thankful for Sarah’s leadership, her passion for EVolocity, her abilities in gaining funder support, and for her skill in refining programme staffing and process. EVolocity is in a very good place as a result of her efforts. By 2024, student participation in the programme had increased by 45%, and the number of participating schools had risen by 22%. Sarah has made an enduring contribution to EVolocity’s mission and we will always be grateful for that.
EVolocity has Impact
EVolocity is producing some of the best and brightest young engineers and tech innovators in New Zealand.
Our students emerge as future employees, entrepreneurs, and changemakers—equipped with real-world skills in design, CAD, trades, electrical engineering, software development, teamwork, project management, and financial literacy.
What makes EVolocity unique is its accessibility to students from all walks of life. Through the programme, participants design, build, and race their own electric vehicles—including karts and bikes—merging classroom learning with practical, project-based experience.
Approximately 21% of participants are girls, and through our Young Women in STEM (YWIS) initiative, we are committed to increasing that number and broadening diversity in sustainable engineering.
Many EVolocity alumni now contribute to fields including aerospace, healthcare, and clean energy—and some have launched their own businesses. These successes help break cycles of intergenerational disadvantage and build a highly skilled workforce ready to deliver sustainable infrastructure for Aotearoa’s future.
Notably, 41% of our participants are in Year 12 and 13, meaning they’re poised to enter the workforce or pursue further study—with confidence and capability.
