Grant helps realise Maori health goal

TOP SCHOLAR: Rangimarie Wiari, who attended Wanganui City College, is enjoying student life and her studies in Dunedin.PHOTO/SUPPLIED 04082015WCSUPRANGIMARIE

Wanganui City College principal Peter Kaua said he was not surprised to learn the school's deputy-head girl in 2014, Rangimarie Wiari, had earned a scholarship.

Rangimarie has been accepted for the Tu Kahika Scholarship programme preparing young Maori for a career in health sciences at Otago. Her former principal said she had always shown interest and aptitude in health science.

"Rangimarie is a very hard worker and she sees things through to the end - I know she will do really well," he said.

Possessing Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi iwi affiliations, Rangimarie said she held high hopes of getting into Otago's School of Medicine.

"Maori health is a topic that I'm both very sensitive and passionate about," she said.

"My whanau and my iwi are my biggest motivation.

"I believe there can be a huge improvement within the overall health of Maori if they are tended to by someone they can relate to and feel comfortable with."

Rangimarie said she found out about Tu Kahika when she attended a wananga in Auckland and thought the support would give her a great start in Dunedin.

"I applied for the T Kahika Scholarship because I had no previous exposure to physics and lacked confidence with my other sciences.

"I wanted to solidify my previous knowledge before entering Health and Science First Year, a highly competitive course."

Rangimarie is living at Studholme College, one of 15 residential colleges on or near Otago's Dunedin campus.

"Studholme is very homey and small," said Rangimarie.

"It's a great college with lots of space to chill and study.

"I've managed to get out and play a few games of netball with the Studholme crew. It's a good break from study."