Scholars paving the way at Rua Bioscience

Reagan Habib Mitchell and Tomairangi Haua-Huhu Tolaga Bay Area School

In line with its commitment to development and educational empowerment in te Tairāwhiti, Rua Bioscience has announced the recipients of the 2023 He Ara Atawhai – He kakano Undergraduate Scholarships.

The scholarships, integral to the Rua Bioscience Impact Programme, stand as a beacon for individuals dedicated to transformative change within their communities.

“The heart of this initiative lies in the encouragement of rangatahi to pursue higher education, with a specific emphasis on fostering careers in health sciences.

“Recognising the pivotal role that highly skilled and engaged rangatahi play in the establishment of a sustainable local economy in Te Tairāwhiti, Rua Bioscience is steadfast in delivering on its commitments to positive social and economic impact on the East Coast,” a company media statement said.

“This year saw an expansion of the impact programme as it opened its doors to organisations eager to bolster the cause. Tairāwhiti Contractors, Lowndes Jordan and Livingston Creative joined forces alongside long-time supporters of the programme Trust Tairāwhiti, injecting support into the 2023 scholarship fund and amplifying the reach of this transformative initiative.”

Collectively valued at over $17,000, scholarships were awarded to 13 students.

“These scholarships serve as more than financial assistance; they represent a significant investment in the pursuit of education and training, paving the way for a future generation of leaders.

“The recipients’ educational pathways span an array of fields, including horticultural science, law, business, biomedical sciences, civil infrastructure, criminology, digital creativity, and toi Māori. Each chosen path reflects the diverse opportunities available to these scholars as they embark on their educational journeys.

“Rua Bioscience’s commitment to nurturing the potential of te Tairāwhiti’s youth is not only evident in the scholarships awarded but also in the collaborative spirit that brought organisations together to support these young scholars. As the recipients embark on their educational pursuits, Rua Bioscience remains dedicated to cultivating positive social and economic change in the region, one scholar at a time.”

Since its inception the programme has supported 39 students with scholarships valued at over $65,000 including this year’s awards,

“We are extremely proud of the students, for their achievements this year and for heading into tertiary education and training. Our hope is that this investment will enable the students to acquire valuable skills, with the ultimate goal of bringing those skills back to benefit te Tairāwhiti,” chief executive Paul Naske said.

Recipients of the 2023 scholarships are: Tomairangi Haua-Huhu and Reagan Habib-Mitchell (Tolaga Bay Area School), Orlando Bonica and Stevie Rangiuaia (Ngata Memorial College), Lucky Goel  and Sam Flynn Koll-Haertel (Gisborne Boys’ High School), Silke McNaught  and Issy Allen (Gisborne Girls’ High School), Wayan Parfitt (Lytton High School), Danielle van Aswegen and Eve Hampson (Campion College), Te Ariki Beach (TKKM o Te Waiū o Ngāti Porou), Raiha Brooking (TKKM o Kawakawa mai Tawhiti)