Undergraduate Scholarship winner: Herewini Loto’olo Petrus Ammunson
He uri a Herewini Ammunson nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Whakaue, Rangitāne me Vaimoso (Hāmoa).
Growing up next to Papawai Pā as a member of an ahi kaa whānau, has meant that as well as being part of his marae, Herewini's marae is part of him.
Moving from the country to a boarding college in the city was the beginning of hard work for Herewini. He received the academic boarding scholarship in 2011 from St Patricks’ College, Silverstream and has an impressive academic record.
Being appointed as the Deputy Head Boy and Head of Culture during his final year at school, was an opportunity for Herewini to create an awareness of and respect for tikanga Māori amongst students and staff. He has taken on many leadership roles both in school and in a voluntary capacity and balances his busy lifestyle with his passion for waka ama and rugby.
Herewini has played sport at representative level and has aspirations to continue on and to be selected for the New Zealand Heartland Rugby under 19’s team this year.
Herewini is studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University of Wellington
Undergraduate Scholarship winner: Samantha Tihoi Jackson
Nō Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu o Whangaroa, Ngātiwai me Te Roroa a Samantha Jackson.
Samantha was brought up in a working-class, sheep shearing whānau, which has meant that Samantha values the ethic of hard work as well as the people around her. Her parents always emphasised the importance of gaining an education.
She volunteers with a number of Māori trusts and organisations nationwide, helping with rangatahi initiatives, te reo Māori, waka and taonga tākaro wānanga.
Samantha has participated in the restoration of her wharenui Rāhiri and helped re-seed 800,000 pāua under the korowai of Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki.
Samantha has already successfully completed a Bachelor of Science (Physiology), Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Peace and Conflict) with distinction and a Master of Arts (Indigenous Development) with distinction. She is currently in her third year of study as a medical student at the University of Otago and received a Dean’s Commendation for her second year.
She is passionate about hauora, waka, poetry and supporting rangatahi Māori which reflects the amount of time she has dedicated to supporting organisations that are involved in these kaupapa.
Samantha is studying towards a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Otago.
Undergraduate Scholarship winner: Hariata Rongo Dalton-Reedy
He uri whakaheke a Hariata Rongo Dalton-Reedy nō Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Uepohatu me Ngāpuhi. I tipu ake a ia i Ruatōria i roto hoki i Te Kōhanga Reo o Whakarua me Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiū o Ngāti Porou.
In 2014 Hariata Rongo was one of the inaugural winners of the Ngārimu VC and 28 th Māori Battalion Memorial Challenge competition, gaining first place in the Senior English section and for most outstanding entry, the Supreme Award.
She is currently in her second year at the Eastern Institute of Technology Tairāwhiti: Toihoukura.
Toihoukura has been instrumental for Hariata Rongo in further developing the values and teachings of her elders from her early years. Her aspirations are to give back to all from home that have gifted to her their wisdom and teachings.
Her plan is to complete the Bachelor of Māori Arts, Bachelor of Professional Creative Practice, Master of Professional Creative Practice and gain a teaching degree.
Hariata Rongo has no doubt that Māori arts will be a vehicle to inspire and unite people to seek their pathway of excellence within the spirit of their culture. This is the very essence of breathing life in to all things Māori she says.
Hariata Rongo is studying towards a Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts (Te Toi o Ngā Rangi) Eastern Institute of Technology (Tairāwhiti)
Postgraduate Scholarship winner: Kingi Denis William Snelgar
He mokopuna a Kingi Snelgar nā Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Whakatōhea me Ngāi Tahu.
Kingi graduated from the University of Auckland in 2011, as an undergraduate recipient of the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship, with a decorated CV of academic awards and service to Māori students enrolled at the University.
He secured employment as a Crown Prosecutor with Meredith Connell and was instrumental in initiating a Māori and Pasifika internship to help increase the number of Māori and Pasifika practitioners in criminal law.
He is one of three New Zealanders admitted to Harvard Law School in August 2015, from thousands of applicants worldwide. Kingi has recently completed a Master of Laws with a topic focus on Criminal and Human Rights law.
Kingi wants to use this qualification to work at the United Nations and investigate international mechanisms open to Māori to air their grievances. His ultimate goal is to return to his beloved Northland to work with his iwi and hapū. He aims to one day become a Supreme Court Justice or Secretary General of the United Nations.
Postgraduate Scholarship winner: Diane Maureen Koti
Nō ngā iwi o Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Maniapoto me Waikato/Tainui a Diane Koti.
Much of Diane’s academic career has been spent balancing work and caring for her family. During this time she has continued to improve her grades in psychology and develop her proficiency in te reo Māori.
Throughout her studies Diane has been committed to assisting others. She has worked at Massey University as a Kaiwhakaako and at Cranford hospice as a clinical administrator. Diane is a bursar and mentor with Te Rau Puawai, a Māori mental health workforce development initiative supporting Māori students. She has also been involved in governance committees examining strategic hapū development, regional budgeting, bicultural development and whānau business development.
Diane’s doctoral research investigates stories of traditional, values, beliefs and end-of-life care practices of Ngāti Porou whānau. It also explores Ngāti Porou whānau experiences, perceptions, values, beliefs and utilisation of contemporary end-of-life care services and facilities in New Zealand. These stories will illustrate how the best of traditional and contemporary end-of-life care can be drawn together for the future development of end-of-life care services for Ngāti Porou whānau. Her research is whānau centred and underpinned by a Kaupapa Māori approach. End-of-life care for Māori is in its infancy in New Zealand and Diane’s research will contribute directly to the emerging academic knowledge on this subject.
Diane is studying for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at Massey University in Clinical Psychology at Massey University.
Undergraduate Scholarship recipient: Herewini Loto’olo Petrus Ammunson
He uri a Herewini Ammunson nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Whakaue, Rangitāne me Vaimoso (Hāmoa).
Growing up next to Papawai Pā as a member of an ahi kaa whānau has meant that as well as being part of his marae, his marae is also part of him.
Moving from the country to a boarding college in the city was the beginning of hard work for Herewini. He received the academic boarding scholarship in 2011 from St Patricks’ College, Silverstream and has an impressive academic record.
Being appointed as the Deputy Head Boy and Head of Culture during his final year at school, was an opportunity for Herewini to create an awareness of and respect for tikanga Māori amongst students and staff. He has taken on many leadership roles both in school and in a voluntary capacity and balances his busy lifestyle with his passion for waka ama and rugby.
Herewini has played sport at representative level and has aspirations to continue on and to be selected for the New Zealand Heartland Rugby under 19’s team this year.
Herewini is studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University of Wellington
Undergraduate Scholarship recipient: Samantha Tihoi Jackson
Nō Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu o Whangaroa, Ngātiwai me Te Roroa a Samantha Jackson.
Samantha was brought up in a working-class, sheep shearing whānau, which has meant that Samantha values the ethic of hard work as well as the people around her. Her parents always emphasised the importance of gaining an education.
She volunteers with a number of Māori trusts and organisations nationwide, helping with rangatahi initiatives, Te Reo Māori, waka and taonga tākaro wānanga.
Samantha has participated in the restoration of her wharenui Rāhiri and helped re-seed 800,000 pāua under the korowai of Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki.
Samantha has already successfully completed a Bachelor of Science (Physiology), Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Peace and Conflict) with distinction and a Master of Arts (Indigenous Development) with distinction. She is currently in her third year of study as a medical student at the University of Otago and received a Dean’s Commendation for her second year.
She is passionate about hauora, waka, poetry and supporting rangatahi Māori which reflects the amount of time she has dedicated to supporting organisations that are involved in these kaupapa.
Samantha is studying towards a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Otago.
Undergraduate Scholarship recipient: Hariata Rongo Dalton-Reedy
He uri whakaheke a Hariata Rongo Dalton-Reedy nō Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Uepohatu me Ngāpuhi. I tipu ake a ia i Ruatoria i roto hoki i Te Kōhanga Reo o Whakarua me Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiū o Ngāti Porou.
In 2014 Hariata Rongo was one of the inaugural winners of the Ngārimu VC & 28 th Māori Battalion Memorial Challenge competition, gaining first place in the Senior English section and for most outstanding entry, the Supreme Award.
She is currently in her second year at the Eastern Institute of Technology Tairāwhiti: Toihoukura.
Toihoukura has been instrumental for Hariata Rongo in further developing the values and teachings of her elders from her early years. Her aspirations are to give back to all from home that have gifted to her their wisdom and teachings.
Her plan is to complete the Bachelor of Māori Arts, Bachelor of Professional Creative Practice, Master of Professional Creative Practice and gain a teaching degree.
Hariata Rongo has no doubt that Māori arts will be a vehicle to inspire and unite people to seek their pathway of excellence within the spirit of their culture. This is the very essence of breathing life in to all things Māori.
Hariata is studying towards a Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts (Te Toi o ngā Rangi) Eastern Institute of Technology (Tairāwhiti)
Postgraduate Scholarship recipient: Kingi Denis William Snelgar
He mokopuna a Kingi Snelgar nā Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Whakatōhea me Ngai Tahu.
He graduated from the University of Auckland in 2011, as an undergraduate recipient of the Ngārimu VC & 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship, with a decorated CV of academic awards and service to Māori students enrolled at the University.
He secured employment as a Crown Prosecutor with Meredith Connell and was instrumental in initiating a Māori and Pasifika internship to help increase the number of Māori and Pasifika practitioners in criminal law.
He is one of three New Zealanders admitted to Harvard Law School in August 2015, from thousands of applicants worldwide. During his time at Harvard, Kingi will complete a Master of Laws with a topic focus on Criminal and Human Rights law.
Kingi wants to use this qualification to work at the United Nations and investigate international mechanisms open to Māori to air their grievances. His ultimate goal is to return to his beloved Northland to work with his Iwi and hapū. He aims to one day become a Supreme Court Justice or Secretary General of the United Nations.
Kingi is studying towards a Master of Laws at Harvard Law School, United States of America.
Postgraduate Scholarship recipient: Diane Maureen Koti
Nō ngā iwi o Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Maniapoto me Waikato/Tainui a Diane Koti.
Much of Diane’s academic career has been spent balancing work and caring for her family. During this time she has continued to improve her grades in psychology and develop her proficiency in Te Reo Māori.
Throughout her studies Diane has been committed to assisting others. She has worked at Massey University as a Kaiwhakaako and at Cranford hospice as a clinical administrator. Diane is a bursar and mentor with Te Rau Puawai, a Māori mental health workforce development initiative supporting Māori students. She has also been involved in governance committees examining strategic hapū development, regional budgeting, bicultural development and whānau business development.
Diane’s doctoral research investigates stories of traditional, values, beliefs and end-of-life care practices of Ngāti Porou whānau. It also, explores Ngāti Porou whānau experiences, perceptions, values, beliefs and utilisation of contemporary end-of-life care services and facilities in New Zealand. These stories will illustrate how the best of traditional and contemporary end-of-life care can be drawn together for the future development of end-of-life care services for Ngāti Porou whānau. Her research is whānau centred and underpinned by a Kaupapa Māori approach. End-of-life care for Māori is in its infancy in New Zealand and Diane’s research will contribute directly to the emerging academic knowledge on this subject.
Diane is studying for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at Massey Universityin Clinical Psychology at Massey University.