Prizes for Te Reo Māori

This prize was established in 2007 to recognize and honour the support and close ties between Tainui and The University of Waikato. The Prize was reviewed in 2018, with the award amount increased in value, awards made on a biannual basis (starting in 2018), and the award given to the student with the highest GPA in the creative paper MAORI316 Te Reo Ahurei.

MAORI316 has emphasis on developing oral and critical skills in the use of the Māori language with particular attention on the critical examination and understanding of composition styles, including performance of poetic genres.

The Kahukura Prize was established in 2022 to reward academically excellent students completing the Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi at the University of Waikato, Tauranga Campus. The Prize is generously funded by Dr Matua Jansen, a recipient of many scholarships over the years, who aims to provide new opportunities for this student cohort through this Prize. Dr Jansen has strong connections to Tauranga Moana via his Kahukura whakapapa (Ko Takitimu te waka, ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi). The Prize will first be awarded in 2023 and will be awarded for at least five years.