If you’ve ever witnessed or popped a Manu, you’ll know it’s more than just a jump. It’s a distinctly Kiwi tradition that blends skill, style and, most importantly, splash power. Across Aotearoa, this playful pastime has grown into a cultural phenomenon, earning iconic status through nationwide events like the Z Manu World Champs.

AUT has secured a place in the first Call for Projects under the Applied Doctorate Scheme (ADS), with a research project led in partnership with AUT spinout company Dot Ingredients and Australian energy innovator, Allego Energy.

The New Zealand Government has announced a new national approach to managing intellectual property (IP) arising from publicly funded research. The new framework is designed to make commercialisation more accessible, more nationally consistent, and more rewarding for researchers, and importantly, it aligns closely with how AUT already operates in this space.