Māori scholarship winners announced

  • Hekia Parata
Education

Education Minister Hekia Parata today announced the five winners of a prestigious tertiary scholarship in honour of the 28th Māori Battalion.

The Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board, which is chaired by Ms Parata, has been supporting future Māori leaders to succeed in education since 1948.

“This scholarship commemorates the brave men of the 28th (Māori) Battalion and this year’s recipients exemplify the same traits that earned the Battalion an honoured place in New Zealand’s history,” says Ms Parata.

“They demonstrate determination, service and leadership, and I’m confident that they will honour the spirit and sacrifice of the soldiers by making their own contribution to their whānau, hapū, iwi and country, just like the soldiers did.”

Among this year’s winners of the annual scholarship are aspiring psychologists, doctors and an environmental scientist.

A total of 86 applications were received in the 2014/15 round; 67 undergraduate, 13 masters, and six doctoral.

“Of the 86 applications we received this round, these five exceptional winners stood out and have shown other young Māori what can be achieved through belief, commitment and hard work,” says Ms Parata.

All winners will be recognised at an awards ceremony in April 2015.

Applications for the 2015/16 tertiary scholarship round will open on 1 July 2015 and close in September.

Notes to editors:

Information about the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and applications for the 2015/16 round can be found at www.minedu.govt.nz/ngarimuscholarships

Biographies on each of the winners can be found at www.minedu.govt.nz/Ngarimu2015Recipients

  • Tahlia Kingi (Te Arawa, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti) has been awarded the doctoral scholarship worth $25,000 a year for up to two years. Tahlia is researching self-injury among young Māori and the support role of whānau and community. She will complete her qualification in 2016.
  • Te Rerekohu Tuterangiwhiu (Ngāpuhi, Taranaki, Ngāti Ranginui, Tainui) receives the masters scholarship worth $15,000 per year for up to two years. His research focuses on sustainable management of native pāua stocks. Te Rerekohu has a bachelor’s degree in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge).
  • The three undergraduate scholars are Hine Kawana (Rangitane, Raukawa, Te Arawa, Ngā Waiariki, Te Ati-hau-nui-a-Papārangi) who starts her Bachelor of Arts this year; Coralie Takuira Dargaville (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa) and James Enright (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Ruanui) who are both studying towards a Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Each undergraduate scholarship is valued at $10,000 per year for up to five years.