Maddisyn Hollis

In September 2022, Maddisyn Hollis (Waikato-Tainui, Maniapoto, Taranaki) was one of seven undergraduate students awarded the Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Scholarship, which was established in 1991 to mark the 25th anniversary of the accession of the late Māori Queen.

A third-year student doing a Bachelor of Arts in Māori and Indigenous Studies, Maddisyn received her scholarship award at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, with her partner, 7-month-old son and whānau in support.

The scholarships were awarded by the Waikato Regional Council and Waikato-Tainui on Kīngitanga Day at the University.

Recipients were assessed on academic merit, commitment to their studies, and - for third and fourth year students - their knowledge and application of the Kīngitanga.

Scholarship recipients all had whakapapa or a family connection to land within the Waikato Regional Council boundaries, which are largely aligned with the ancestral lands of Tainui waka.

They also had to be enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at the University, and be a New Zealand citizen or resident of Māori descent. A connection of taiao (the environment) and Kīngitanga were also a key part of the scholarship.

“It’s a privilege to be recognised by Waikato-Tainui and Waikato Regional council at this level, especially as the scholarship concerns Tainui and the Kīngitanga,” says Maddisyn, 22.

She said her successes were due to the support of her family and community.

“My life doesn’t belong to me, but to give something back to my whānau, my tribe and to future Māori,” who wants to work with Māori youth after graduation.

“My goal is to develop the skills necessary to enable rangatahi Māori to reconnect with their identity, culture, talents and strengths.”

She chose Waikato because her mother was an alumni of the University, and because of its relations in Māori and Indigenous Studies.

The former Turakina Ngaa Hara and Hamilton Girls’ High School student says her studies at Waikato, to date, have been rewarding.