Education Minister Hekia Parata has presented 5 young Māori students with the Ngarimu VC and Māori Battalion scholarships.
The students whom received the scholarships were Tahlia Kingi, Te Rerekohu Tūterangiwhiu, Hine Kawana, Coralie Takuira Dargaville and James Enright.
All 5 students who are made up of aspiring doctors, psychologists and an environmental scientist were chosen from 86 applicants in the 2014/2015 round.
Ms Parata spoke highly of these successful young Māori and says “Since 1948, the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board has supported young Māori to succeed in education. These five students not only demonstrate education excellence, but also the same commitment, service and leadership displayed by the Battalion."
Tahlia Kingi of both Te Arawa and Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti descent received the doctorate scholarship worth $25,000 a year for up to 2 years. She is currently researching self-injury among young Māori and the support role of whānau and community. She will complete her qualification next year.
Te Rerekohu Tūterangiwhiu was awarded the masters scholarship worth $15,000 per year for up to 2 years. At present he is researching sustainable management of native pāua stocks. He also has a bachelor in Mātauranga Māori.
The remaining 3 students, Hine Kawana who starts her Bachelor of Arts this year; Coralie Takuira Dargaville and James Enright who are both studying towards a Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery all received the undergraduate scholarship worth $10,000 per year for up to 5 years.
Applications for the next round of the Ngārimu VC and 28th Māori Battalion Memorial Scholarships open on July 1 2015 and close in September.
Information about these scholarships and applications for the next round can be found here.