Former Rotorua students presented with Ngarimu VC and 28th Maori Battalion memorial scholarships

Tipene James, left, and Jack Potaka. Photo/Supplied

Two former Rotorua students have been presented with prestigious tertiary scholarships.

Rotorua Boys' High School alumni Jack Potaka and Tipene James were among eight outstanding Maori students who received scholarships commemorating Victoria Cross recipient Second Lieutenant Te Moananui a Kiwa Ngarimu, and the soldiers of the 28th Maori Battalion.

Education Minister and Ngarimu Board chairwoman Hekia Parata made the presentation in a ceremony at Parliament today.

Ms Parata said the scholarships recognised the exciting futures the eight exceptional recipients had ahead of them.

"They have already demonstrated what young Maori can achieve with hard work and dedication and I look forward to seeing what more they accomplish in the future."

The Ngarimu VC and 28th Maori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board awarded scholarships to students who demonstrated education excellence and embodied the characteristics of the battalion including commitment, service, and leadership.

Mr Potaka was awarded dux, top English scholar, and top Maori student during his time at Rotorua Boys' High School and won the Nga Manu Korero senior English impromptu trophy.

In 2014 he spoke at the dawn service at Chunuk Bair in Gallipoli as the winner of the ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition.

He is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts at Auckland University.

Mr James begins working towards a Bachelor of Arts at Waikato University next year and was the top Te Reo Maori student in each of his years at Rotorua Boys' High School.

He has a family connection to the 28th Maori Battalion with both of his great-grandfathers having been members of its B Company.

This year's recipients also included a Stanford University student working towards a masters in environmental law and policy, an aspiring documentary filmmaker working towards her masters at the School of Visual Arts, in New York, and a Bachelor of Business Studies student who represented New Zealand at the White House Tribal Leaders Gathering in Washington DC hosted by Barack Obama during his presidency.

The five undergraduate scholars will receive $10,000 per year for up to five years with the three winners master's scholars receiving $15,000 per year for up to two years.

Applications for the next round of Ngarimu VC & 28th Maori Battalion Memorial Scholarships open on May 1 and close on September 30.