Pita Sharples
23 April, 2013
Prestigious Māori scholarship honours leaders of the past and future
Eight outstanding Māori leaders of tomorrow have been recognised with education scholarships totalling $115,000.
Today in a special ceremony at Parliament recipients of the 2012/2013 Ngārimu VC & 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships were recognised for their potential to make an important contribution to
their whānau, hapū, iwi and country.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Second Lieutenant Te
Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu. The scholarships are awarded annually to commemorate Second Lieutenant Ngārimu and the 28th
(Māori) Battalion.
Among the winners of this year’s scholarships are aspiring paediatricians, lawyers, artists, teachers and philosophers.
Associate Education Minister, Dr Pita Sharples says, “these recipients have used education as the doorway to realise
their potential. Their identity, language and culture have been critical ingredients in their success.”
“Like the brave battalion soldiers before them, they will go on to make a great contribution to their whānau, hapū, iwi
and country. They demonstrate leadership, service, determination and pride.”
“Since 1948 the fund has supported Māori students who want to further their education. Today, it assists exceptional
Māori students who are attending a recognised tertiary institution. The Government will do all it can to continue its
support for such outstanding academic contributors.”
The scholarships are designed to inspire, reward and support Māori education achievement and success. In today’s
ceremony, the scholarships were awarded at undergraduate, masters and doctoral level.
Dr Sharples added, “Māori students and their whānau, hapū, iwi and communities have the right to expect the best and get
the best from education.”
“The recipients of this award demonstrate what happens when whānau, iwi, education professionals and communities work
together to invest in the education of their young people.”
“The Ngārimu awards have a rich and illustrious history. Like Ngārimu and the Battalion, these winners have shown what
it takes to be outstanding, to have courage and to achieve success.”
Notes:
Biographies on each of the winners can be found on the Ministry of Education website www.minedu.govt.nz/ngarimu2013recipients
Of the eight scholarships awarded this year, five undergraduate scholarships of $10,000 each were awarded to Kiharoa Milroy (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tūhoe), Kohukohurangi Isaac-Sharland (Ngāti Raukwa, Rangitāne), Nikau Hindin (Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa), Pania Newton (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui) and Te Rina Popata (Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whātua and Ngāi Tūhoe).
The masters level scholarship was awarded to Horiana Irwin (Ngāti Porou, Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu) who is studying for her Masters of Laws at Harvard University, United States
of America. The scholarship is valued at $15,000.
Due to the high calibre of applicants in the 2012/2013 year, two doctoral level scholarships were awarded. Each
recipient will receive $25,000 for one year.
David Karena (Ngāti Mahanga) whose grandfather was a member of the 28th Maori Battalion, is in his final year of study towards a
Doctorate of Indigenous Philosophy in Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanui-ā-Rangi.
Joseph Bristowe (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Aitanga a Māhaki) who had three grand uncles return from WWII service, will also
complete his Doctor of Philosophy qualification. He is majoring in Screen and Media Studies at the University of
Waikato.
Past Ngārimu scholarship recipients include Professor Whatarangi Winiata, Dr Patu Hohepa, Dr Monty Soutar, Hon Hekia
Parata and Pania Papa.
The Ngārimu VC scholarships are available to anyone of New Zealand Māori descent who is looking to further their
education through undergraduate study or at a master’s or doctorate level. No essay competition or Manakura scholarship
awards were made for 2012/2013.
• The awards are made in memory of Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu VC and the 28th (Māori)
Battalion. Second Lieutenant Ngārimu was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) in 1943.
• A table of all scholarship winners is attached.
Related Documents
•2013 Ngarimu scholarship recipients.pdf (pdf 198.79 KB)