Media Release
25 May 2016
MP and Freemasons scholar presents 2016 scholarships
On the eve of Budget Day, Labour List MP Jacinda Ardern—herself a scholarship recipient in 2001—presented $184,000 in
Freemasons University Scholarships to 26 of the country’s top students.
Seven scholars received postgraduate scholarships of $10,000 each, while 19 scholars received university scholarships of
$6,000 each. Parliament was the setting for the awarding of the scholarships to the 26 students from New Zealand
universities: Auckland, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago.
Freemasons Grand Master, John Litton, said he was pleased that a former scholarship recipient not only presented this
year’s scholarships but was guest speaker at the yearly event.
“While some students see their scholarships as a means of reaching their chosen academic target others, like Jacinda,
have used them as a stepping stone to new challenges.
“Education is recognised by Freemasons as key to the good health of the world with knowledge and learning engendering
understanding, which in turn leads to tolerance and co-operation, creating a way forward,” said Mr Litton.
For 38 years Freemasons New Zealand—through the Freemasons Charity—has funded nearly $4.8 million in university and
postgraduate scholarships to 1,105 of the country’s top scholars. As such it is one of the country’s largest privately
funded university scholarship programmes.
To qualify as a Freemasons University scholar, students must attain consistent A-grades, be completing a degree, and be
actively involved in their community.
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