Hutia te rito o te harakeke kei whea to kōmako e kō? Ki mai ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te Ao? Maku e kī atu, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata
If the heart of the harakeke was removed, where would the bellbird sing? If I was asked what was the most important thing in the world I would be compelled to reply, it is people, it is people, it is people.
The whakataukī refers to the importance of whakapapa – the people to whom we are connected – past, present and future. The flax represents whānau being at the centre. Look to your own background – understanding your personal connections and building healthy relationships with all those you encounter will lead to success.
Scholarships
Applying for a scholarship is a lot like applying for a job. There are also many options available to students from all walks of life!
Tips on finding other scholarships or awards:
- Look to your own background and map your connections – ask if they know.
- Research your whakapapa/family tree.
- Land/Iwi grants and scholarships. i.e. Te Arawa, Tuwharetoa, Waikato-Tainui, Ngāi Tahu
- Professional associations i.e. Teach NZ
- Grants for women. New Horizons for Women: Hine Kahukura / Betty Loughhead Soroptimist Scholarship
- Health Scholarships Te Whatu Ora
- StudySpy
- Geyser Community Foundation
- The Ron Mossop Youth Scholarship in Beekeeping
- Eastern Bay Community Foundation
- Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial scholarships
You may need a reference letter to accompany your scholarship application. This should be written by someone familiar with your work, character, and accomplishments. Click here for more information.
Toi Ohomai offers a range of scholarships for current and prospective students. You can view these on the Toi Ohomai website:
There are a wide range of scholarships available for students:
Kassidee Teu
Kassidee Teu strives to be an inspirational wahine Māori.
Despite growing up through adversity, Kassidee is choosing to follow her dream of helping people and is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Toi Ohomai.
She is one of six recipients of this year’s Whakapumau Pae Tawhiti Scholarships and says this will enable her to continue with her vocational education.
“I knew in my heart that I’ve always wanted to be someone who helps others. As a wahine Māori it’s in my blood to look after others, it’s what we are brought up to do.”
As well as studying, Kassidee has a young daughter and also works full-time. She admits balancing all her commitments is a struggle, but says giving up on her dream is not an option.
“When I found out I was successful in getting the scholarship, I just dropped to the ground in disbelief and cried.
“I know it sounds dramatic but the day I got the email was the same day I had been crying all morning thinking to myself that I couldn’t afford to study.”
She says that because of the scholarship, she can afford to get nursing books and reduce her amount of working hours.
“It will be a huge relief for my whānau and I to know that we can carry on the study journey. I also wanted to koha some of it to help our whanāu group nursing students as I know their struggles are as equal to mine. We are a team and I wouldn’t be able to do this if it wasn’t for each other’s support.”
Kassidee hopes that her journey will also inspire others, especially the next generation. She aims to be able to share the skills she has learnt with her whānau, and influence positive change within her iwi.
“This scholarship represents much more than financial aid; it symbolises the key to a different path that aids me in breaking away from poverty with minimum wage jobs and having low educational levels, not just for myself but for the generations that follow.”
Kassidee says that despite life’s challenges it is important to stay positive and to believe in yourself.
“Honestly stop looking at the words and just make a start. Don’t sit there with doubt. Ask for help and just do it. Don’t let doubt make you give up. Instead, let doubt make you proud of yourself for overcoming it.”