Nineteen outstanding Maori student teachers, including three from Rotorua, have been awarded a Kupe Scholarship today.
Te Wharekotua Morrison-Hare, Desma Koia, and Lanne Wade-Jensen were awarded the prestigious scholarship which recognise highly accomplished Maori and Pacific students and supports them to complete their teaching qualification and gain further success teaching in the early childhood, primary, and secondary teaching sectors.
Education Minister Hekia Parata announced the awards in a ceremony held in Parliament today.
"We are excited with the calibre of scholars that the Kupe Scholarship continues to attract," said Ministry of Education's Deputy Secretary Early Learning and Student Achievement Lisa Rodgers.
Each year 30 Kupe Scholarships are awarded to students based on strong academic success and demonstrable leadership experience in their respective whānau, communities, and iwi.
"They are high achievers, they are role models, and they care deeply about their respective communities," said Ms Rodgers.
"This scholarship provides an opportunity for them to be inspiring, role model teachers, who will make a positive difference in the lives of children."
Kupe scholarship recipients will have their course fees paid, a $15,000 study allowance, professional mentoring, and assistance with finding a job.
Kupe Māori Scholars:
Te Whaiwhaia Ritchie, PGDip(Psych) BSpLS, Raglan, Waikato University
Ngāti Kahungunu (ki Wairarapa), Ngāti Kahukuraawhitia, Ngāti Moe
Currently completing a Master of Teaching and Learning at Waikato University, Te Whaiwhaia holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology, plus a Bachelor Degree in Sports and Leisure Studies from Waikato. He has been a tutor at Waikato University and St Peter's College, Cambridge. Educated at kōhanga reo and kura primary, Te Whaiwhaia speaks te reo Māori fluently. After a few years overseas, he has returned to New Zealand.
Te Wharekotua Morrison-Hare, BA (Hons) Rotorua, Waikato University
Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto
Immersed in Te Ao Māori since birth, Te Wharekotua is a senior member of Te Mātārae I Ōrehu, the outstanding kapa haka group, who placed second in the country at last year's Te Matatini competitions. His passion for teaching and helping youth succeed in education is largely inspired by the influence of his renowned mother, Taini Morrison, one of Māoridom's legendary kapa haka leaders and a primary school teacher. He is completing a Graduate Diploma of Teaching Secondary.
Luke Katene, BCom, Hamilton, Waikato University
Ngāti Toa
Luke is a former Māori All Black who has played representative rugby for Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Canterbury. Off the field, Luke was an accountant as a tax consultant for a large corporation and in private consultancy. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Canterbury University and has a passion for lifting financial literacy. He is completing a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) and hopes to be an accounting and business studies teacher.
Mieke Elkington, BSc, Te Awamutu, Waikato University
Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa
After studying under a basketball scholarship at an American university for five years and graduating in the USA with a Bachelor of Science, Mieke has now returned to New Zealand. She is completing a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary).
Moana Tautua, Mangere, Auckland, University of Auckland
Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Cook Islands.
With a news industry background working for MediaWorks and Chong Newztel (now Isentia), Moana is now pursuing her two greatest passions: mathematics and te reo Māori.
Studying full-time in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree programme, this high achiever has been top of class across her teaching programme for all Auckland university campuses in her second year. As a result she was awarded the Dean's Award 2016 for Top of Programme and the University of Auckland First in Course Award. Plus, the Dean's Award 2016 for Top Māori Student in the entire university programme for the second year. In her first year, Moana was awarded the University of Auckland High Achievers Initiative.
Matarahi Skipper, BA, Waitara, Massey University
Te Atiawa, Taranaki
After living in Japan for a number of years, Lionel has returned to New Zealand. A diverse working background, he brings unique educational experience working in prisons as a head facilitator for Te Rakau Hua o Te Wao Tapu, the Māori theatre educational company led by actor Jim Moriarty. He is studying towards a Graduate Diploma Teaching (Secondary).
Amanda Kirk, BA ATCL (Dip.), Mt Eden, Auckland University
Tainui, Waiohua, Ngāpuhi
Music is one of Amanda's passions. After teaching music to young children, she discovered a love of teaching. She is a former violinist and solo vocalist with the Aotea Youth Symphony and a former singer with the NZ Opera Chorus. As an opera singer, she has performed alongside Dame Malvina Major, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and sung in choirs for the Andrea Bocelli concert and Rugby World Cup in New Zealand some years ago. She is studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary).
Merimoana Kenrick, BA, Bayswater, Auckland, Massey University
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu, Muaupoko
After a career in the navy, and with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Merimoana is inspired to become a teacher. A Duke of Edinburgh awards recipient in bronze and silver, she was also awarded the Dux Award in the Royal NZ Navy communications branch. Fluent in te reo Māori, she has experience as a relieving teacher at bilingual and Māori medium schools. She is studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary).
Rhema Jakeman, BA, Waiuku, Waikato University
Waikato, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Wai Ariki
Possessing a great love for music, Rhema has been involved in choir, school productions and tutoring piano and guitar students. Rhema's other passion is tutoring kapa haka and te reo Māori. She has completed exams for piano, classical guitar, singing and speech and drama through Trinity College (London), the New Zealand School of Music and the Australian Music Examination Board. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Waikato and is now completing a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary).
Desma Koia, Rotorua, University of Canterbury
Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Porou
Desma received a Rotorua Young Achiever Award in 2011 for outstanding leadership in school and community. During her second year of the Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) programme, Canterbury University's Vice-Chancellor invited Desma to join an international society for high-achieving students. Away from the classroom, the sports field is Desma's second home, having played and refereed touch rugby and netball.
Jane Caffery, BSW, Hamilton, Waikato University
Tainui, Ngāa Puhi
Education has transformed Jane's life as a second chance learner to become a high-achieving scholar. Founder of a clothing bank in her local community, it has provided essential clothing and necessities to local families. She holds a Bachelor in Social Work degree and trained as a personal trainer. She is now completing two masters degrees, one at Waikato University and the other at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. A busy mother, she hopes to teach in a primary school.
Kiriwera Nepia-Su'a, BSpLS, Kilbirnie, Victoria University
Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, Samoan, Niuean
A keen sportswoman, particularly in netball, Kiriwera has a strong background in sports and a passion for healthy living. Her biggest inspiration to become a teacher came from her Samoan father Jeremy Su'a and his example as a passionate and caring teacher. She is currently studying towards a Masters of Teaching and Learning. A senior kapa haka member of Tu Te Manawa Maurea, she is also passionate about te reo Māori.
Ngawai Toka, BEd, Huntly, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Waikato Tainui
A former kōhanga reo student, Ngawai now works as a kaiako (teacher) at Te Kōhanga Reo o Raahui Pokeka. She is passionate about early childhood education and holds a Bachelor of Education and qualifications in te reo Māori. She is currently studying towards her second degree, a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
D'Arcy Pomare, BMM, Hamilton, Waikato University
Ngāpuhi, Tainui
D'Arcy is completing a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary). With two years of formal secondary teaching under his belt, D'Arcy has taught at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whangaroa. He holds a Bachelor of Mātauranga Māori, plus qualifications in computing, animation, design and horticulture.
Lanne Wade-Jensen, Rotorua, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Ngati Tūwharetoa, Tuhourangi, Tūhoe
A proud mother of four tamariki, two boys and two girls, aged 10 to 18 , Lanne is raising her achievers singlehandedly. Until she became a full-time student, Lanne worked as Literacy Support Worker at Rotorua's Western Heights High Akoranga Unit and junior mainstream classes. It's given her firsthand experience of classroom teaching in literacy and numeracy, particularly for Māori tama ma. She is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Education (Primary).
Kerrian Duff, Turangi, Waikato University
Ngāti Tuwharetoa
One of the major influences in Kerrian's life has been growing up under the mantle of the Arikitanga of Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The leadership styles of both Tā Hepi and Tā Tumu Te Heuheu have had a huge impact on her outlook on life. They set out to listen to the dreams and aspirations of the people of Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Education was identified as a key priority for the people to be strong in two worlds, in Mātauranga o Tūwharetoa and in mainstream education. Kerrian is an active member of her iwi, involved in event management at marae, hapū, iwi, national and international level. She is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary).
Hailey McLean, Whakatāne, Te Whare Wānanga o Awainuiārangi
Tūhoe, Ngāi Tahu
A love for children and a passion for excellent teaching have come together for this Eastern Bay of Plenty high achiever. Part of the inspiration behind Hailey's decision to become a teacher is her father who teaches Māori Studies, and is the Head of Department, at Whakatane's Trident High School. She is completing a Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) degree.
Zivana Eriha, Otaki, Te Wānanga o Raukawa
Ngāti Raukawa
Zivana's goal is to complete a bachelor's degree in full immersion te reo Māori and become a primary teacher. Fully bilingual in te reo Māori and English, she has helped at kohanga reo and held leadership roles in kura (school).
Te Wairere Ngaia, BCS (Hons), BCS, Hamilton, Waikato University
Waikato-Maniapoto, Taranaki
Te Wairere represented New Zealand as a paddler in the Under-16 Junior Women's Waka Ama competitions. A Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar, Te Wairere holds two bachelor degrees: a Bachelor of Communications degree majoring in management communication and Māori language, plus a First Class Honours degree Bachelor of Communications Studies. She is now pursuing a career in teaching secondary school, studying for a Graduate Diploma in Teaching.