Motiti Island woman wins scholarship

An aspiring iwi development worker from Motiti Island is one of the winners of this year's Dame Te Atairangi Kaahu Scholarships.

The awards were presented yesterday to Waikato University students Adrienne Paul and Kiriana (Jennifer) Waru at a ceremony at Waikato Regional Council in Hamilton, which co-funds the scholarships with Waikato-Tainui.

Ms Paul who is from Motiti Island and of Ngati Awa and Tuhoe descent, received a $2000 scholarship.

She has almost completed her law degree and hoped to assist her people with the development of their Maori land blocks and trusts.

Ms Waru, from Taniwha Marae in the Waikato and of Ngati Mahuta descent, received $1600.

She is in the second year of a Bachelor of Arts degree and hopes to qualify as a specialist te reo Maori teacher and work in the performing arts.

Ms Waru has a particular interest in promoting the connections of the Waikato people to the Waikato River.

Waikato Regional Council chairman Peter Buckley said the scholarships brought the council, Waikato-Tainui and the university together in developing the potential of young leaders.

Waikato-Tainui executive board chairman Tom Roa said that, while the scholarships helped individuals, the wider community would benefit from their work in future.