Four University of Waikato students and one Waikato alumna have been awarded 2017 Kupe Scholarships. The TeachNZ scholarships are awarded annually by the Ministry of Education to highly talented Māori and Pasifika people who have demonstrated leadership expertise, and who will be role models for the teaching profession in their communities. Each scholarship covers course fees and a $15,000 allowance over three years.
Fluent te reo speaker Muritere Apiata (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa) from Kawakawa in Northland is studying a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary). She is also a performing kapa haka artist and a cultural ambassador for Ngāpuhi.
The youngest recipient is 18-year-old Xavia Fraser (Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whatua) who is studying a conjoint Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and a Bachelor of Science, majoring in professional education and mathematics with a specialisation in Te Putaiao me nga take Māori. Xavia is a kaiawhina (Māori student mentor) at Waikato University and also helps high school students as a private tutor.
Twenty-one-year old Grace Rihari (Tainui, Ngāpuhi) is in her second year of study towards a Bachelor of Teaching in Professional Education. As a member of the Tainui Women’s Welfare League, she is an advocate for the improvement of Māori health and wealth. For the last four years, she has worked at Hamilton’s Water World as a learn-to-swim teacher and has also worked as Water World’s children’s holiday programme supervisor.
Stewart Tukerangi, (Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Takato) is from Mangere, South Auckland and has a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation from AUT. He is now studying towards a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) at the University of Waikato. Stewart has worked as an outdoor pursuits specialist for the last seven years working with schools in New Zealand and the United States. He is keen to combine his love of the outdoors with a desire to teach and help students achieve their potential and overcome barriers and adversity.
Alumna Manaia Ward-Tareha (Ngāpuhi) graduated last year with a Bachelor of Arts from Waikato majoring in Māori language/te reo Māori and Māori media and communications. She is now embarking on a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) at Waikato. Manaia has featured as a participant on Māori Television in commissioned and in-house productions for shows such as Ako.
