Education scholarships and grants

The selection of scholarships below applies to both final year secondary school and tertiary-enrolled Māori students. Their inclusion has been specifically put in their own section intentionally to highlight their availability to eligible Māori students.

Applicants have reported a high likelihood of success; there is a significant number of scholarships available for applicants, offering many opportunities for qualifying students.

Generally, who can apply for a Māori scholarship?

Any full-time Māori undergraduate student currently studying at a recognised New Zealand tertiary institute, unless otherwise noted below.
Every year, the value of scholarships in total is over $1m to high school leavers and undergraduates.
Values for each scholarship range from $500 to $10,000
Preference for most scholarships will be for Māori students displaying academic achievement.

* A big shout out to Cuzzins Joanna & Mars Delamare for sharing their scholarship endeavours supporting their tamariki through their educational journeys.

SECONDARY

Maori Education Trust

Important: Applications close 31 March 2022 Students meeting the application criteria can apply for as many Māori Education Trust scholarships as they like from the list below, but will only be awarded one.

Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholarship

Applications now open for Māori high school students currently in Year 10, 11, 12 or 13. Applications close on 10 April 2022 (11.59pm NZT)

Ministry of Education Boarding Bursary Allowance

The Henry & William Williams Memorial Trust Scholarship

Rural Women New Zealand

Click on the links below to download further information and an application form
Bursary Information
Bursary Application Form

TERTIARY

Maori Education Trust

Whakatōhea Trust Board Education Grants

Te Atawhai o Te Ao Fellowship

The Sir Āpirana Ngata Memorial Scholarship

The Sir Apirana Ngata Memorial Scholarship is a scholarship managed on behalf of the Māori Soldiers Trust. It’s funded by the trust’s major asset, Hereheretau Station, and aims to promote higher education among Māori.
The scholarships are generally between $1,000 and $3,000 and 29 were awarded in 2017.
Preference is given to descendants of Māori who served overseas during World War I.
Closes May 2022

Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships

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The scholarships are for exceptional applicants of Māori descent who are undertaking tertiary study in the following year and who possess characteristics that are considered consistent with those of the members of the 28th Māori Battalion.
3 undergraduate awards – $10,000 each per year of full time study, for up to 5 years
Closes September 2022 (tbc)

Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is offering scholarships for Māori students enrolling in a Bachelor of Forestry Science or Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Forest Engineering.
Number available: 8
Value: $8,000 a year for 4 years (the length of the degree) to help with tuition fees and living costs
Internship: The scholarship includes a paid internship of between 4 to 10 weeks with an appropriate employer in the forestry sector.
Closes August 2022

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Scholarships

Ngāi Tahu offers a number of scholarships for tertiary study and for those engaged or beginning to engage with the iwi
Scholarships are numerous and open throughout the year.

Kia Ora Hauora (“Living in Health”) Database

This extensive database is best approached by selecting “Academic Level” and “Iwi” as many of the scholarships will not be relevant for general study. The database includes scholarships that are not Māori specific.

Leading Light Maori Scholarships

To assist a young Māori student to excel in accounting and contribute to the successful economic development of the Māori community, Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand offers two annual Leading Light Maori Scholarships, awarded twice a year to assist young Māori students to excel in accounting and contribute to the successful economic development of the Māori community
The Ngā Raumanako Māori Scholarship and the NKMoA – $5,000 ($2,500 p.a. over 2 years) plus the opportunity to gain an internship with one of the Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa network partners.
Suzanne Spencer Memorial Māori Scholarship – $6,000 ($3,000 p.a. over 2 years), plus the opportunity to have a mentor from the NKMoA network to assist them with their career aspirations.
Applications: open 1 July 2022 (tbc), close 22 July 2022 (tbc)

The Deloitte Award – Most Promising Māori Accountant

Value: $1,500 over a period of three years
Additional Benefits: Invitations to Deloitte networking events, mentoring by a member of the Deloitte Māori Business team and a paid internship in 2nd year of relevant undergraduate study
Closes October 2022 (tbc)

Takoa