The Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust were pleased to again offer our education funding programme this year including a variety of grants and scholarships available for NRAIT registered owners.

As a Trust, one of our objectives is to provide opportunities, and make education accessible to all of our owners, including tamariki, rangatahi and adults too. We aim to support our children and young people to become employable adults with skills that will benefit them and society. To ensure all owners feel supported through their education journey, rather than just focusing on tertiary education, we also offer grants towards trades training, adult education, and study assistance for primary and secondary students.

An important focus area for us is developing people to work in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas. STEM subjects are the future required skills and knowledge our whānau need to fulfil jobs, innovate and create new products and services. Aotearoa currently has a skill shortage in these subject areas. We were pleased to receive applications from a range of NRAIT owners all across Aotearoa, fulfilling several of these high-need roles.

We are pleased to announce our 2018 education programme winners.

Scholarships
The supreme scholarship is awarded to one recipient each year. It is open to any NRAIT registered owner, enrolled with a New Zealand tertiary institute or training provider. This scholarship is awarded to students studying at postgraduate level whose programme of study or research contributes to the business objectives and social deliverables of NRAIT.

Pohe Stephens
Pohe is currently studying a Master of Business and Management at Waikato University. He chose this qualification to broaden his knowledge base, and with the combination of his previous degree and experience, it creates the perfect formula to work for his Iwi.

The Master of Business and Management has deepened his understanding of both business and management and he is developing and expanding on his professional skill set. Pohe is driven by the notion of working for the betterment of his people and sees NRAIT as the perfect example of a place where this is possible.

Benjamin Kaveney-Gibb
Ben is another recipient of a tertiary scholarship. He is currently a third-year medical student at Otago University in Dunedin, and is another year closer to completing his degree and joining the health workforce.

During his third year of his studies, he completed a week-long placement focusing on community contact, where he learned about the health needs of the community around him. Ben has been exposed to many options the medical world has to offer, and is trying to keep as open minded as possible, but still sees himself strongly driven towards becoming a Māori GP with a keen focus on Māori health.

April Tahi Hohaia
Also a recipient of a tertiary scholarship, April is currently studying a Bachelor of Māori Art – Raranga. She is committed to carrying on the legacy of passing on tohu and taonga and making a better future for the next generation.

Grants
Our grant winners are all on the pathway to furthering their education. The grants applied for were across all areas of education including education grants and study assist grants for primary and secondary school students wanting additional education support.

Congratulations to the following recipients of our 2018 grants; Alexandra Morris, Andrew Howard, Renee Hayes, Te Wainui Witika-Park, Rangi Kaveney, Lucy Gotty, Beatrice Korewha, Kahu Schofer, Turanga Morgan-Edmonds, Moana Oh, Hayel Niwa, Kristin Sadd-Peawini, Shana McLeod-Bennett, Manahi Gardiner, Delane Luke, Linda Southee, Paris Studd, Zayed Studd, Ramsey Glasgow, Denim Chase, Chase Ferrel, Petra Ferrel, Tayla Ferrel, Samantha Good, Taiapo Piggott.

We are very proud of all our winners and are excited to see how they progress in their careers.