Member Organisation

Te Whai Ao: Dodd-Walls Centre

Te Whai Ao — Dodd-Walls Centre is leading photonic and quantum technologies in Aotearoa New Zealand, forming an inclusive research eco-system that produces excellent science, innovation and people through research programs spanning photonics, quantum technologies and Te Ao Māori.

The Centre manages the Quantum Technologies Aotearoa Research program, funded by a NZ$12m government grant. Separately, it has a refreshed research program in the second phase of its NZ$36.75m funding agreement with the Tertiary Education Commission.
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The refreshed program, known as the Beacons, is made up of three strands of photonic and quantum technologies research. These are called the One, the Many, and the All, simultaneously acknowledging the degrees of freedom particles enjoy across a range of systems from the simple to the very complex. Almost all the projects involve international collaborations, highlighting the Centre’s wide reach.

Te Ropū Whai Ao has established the very first Māori-led or partnered Te Whai Ao research projects embodying Vision Mātauranga. There are currently two underway – one involves harnessing Te Rā, (the sun) the main deity of the heavens. The second connects science, art and culture. A project seeking to weave ultra-cold magnetic atoms will see the return of an inspirational Māori physicist to his Ngai Tahu roots.