Eight tertiary students benefit from inaugural awards

Beverley Anaru

Eight students who whakapapa to Te Arawa have been named as recipients of the inaugural Beverley Anaru Memorial Scholarships managed by the Geyser Community Foundation.

Pita Anaru said he was excited his dream to honour the memory of his late wife, Beverley, in this way had finally become a reality.

The scholarships are worth a total of $40,000.

"Beverley was a skilled and passionate educationalist who gave over 60 years of service to education. Her career spanned teaching, management, governance and advisory roles both nationally and internationally," Mr Anaru said.

Mr Anaru said her work ethic, professionalism and passion for education were renowned in the local community, as was her commitment to seeing young Maori succeed through education.

"The Geyser Community Foundation is the ideal vehicle in which to honour Beverley's memory and to make an enduring contribution to the educational achievement of Te Arawa descendants."

Mr Anaru said his late wife was guided strongly by her personal philosophy: He aha te mea nui o tea o, he tamaiti, he tamaiti, he tamaiti (What is the most important thing in the world, the child, the child, the child).

"Through her role as education consultant for the Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board, she worked in collaboration with schools, whanau and the community to enhance educational outcomes for Rotorua children."

In 1995, Beverley was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for public service in recognition of her contribution to education, and received a multi service teaching award for reading and language.

Geyser's chairman Pat Brown said the foundation was honoured to have been chosen to manage the postgraduate and undergraduate scholarships on behalf of the Anaru whanau.

Established through the generosity of a significant gift from Pita Anaru, the fund provides scholarships for the advancement of education to Te Arawa descendants studying at NZQA Level 4 or above.

One postgraduate scholarship and seven undergraduate scholarships, each with a value of $5000, have been awarded to students this year.

Presentation of the inaugural scholarships will take place at a special ceremony early next year.

2016 Beverley Anaru Memorial Scholarships

Postgraduate Scholarship: For students enrolled in a masters or PhD

Sonia Hawkins

Undergraduate Scholarship: For students enrolled in an NZQA recognised bachelor's degree or postgraduate certificate/diploma

Tianna Anaru
Eruera Bidois
Dakota Day
Maraea Grant
Tipene James
Awatea Leach
Takiri Raerino