Four young Northlanders have received scholarships aimed at supporting Maori to gain qualifications that will assist in the growth of their hapu.
Kapua Harris-Otene from Tikipunga High School, Alaska Marsh from Kaitaia College, Nyena Weeds-Kawai from Kerikeri High School and Qianna Titore from Northland College have each won a McDonald's Te Tai Tokerau Scholarship worth $12,500 to study at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) next year.
The scholarship assists Maori students to gain tertiary qualifications that will assist in the economic, professional, and community growth of their hapu.
Miss Harris-Otene, who will be studying a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation, was "thrilled" when she discovered she had received the scholarship.
"I've always been into sports – volleyball and netball - and I know that I want to continue to study healthy living, especially if I can help prevent obesity in Maori and Pasifika communities."