Education Scholarship:Deadline Extended
We are pleased to announce that The Mākōtuku Pure Capital Education Scholarships are open to help whānau pursue their learning goals. If you are a registered member of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua and confirmed as enrolled at a primary, secondary or tertiary institution, we encourage you to apply!
The Scholarships are offered by Te Korowai o Wainuiārua in partnership with international investment advisory firm Pure Capital. For 2025 $6500 is available to be awarded, with up to $100 for each primary school student, up to $200 for students at secondary school and for those studying at tertiary level, up to $1000.
Our aim is to continue to support descendants of Uenuku, Tamakana and Tamahaki in gaining higher levels of participation and achievement in education, which in turn helps build capacity to support whānau, hapū and Iwi development.
Preference will be given to students who have some or all of the following:
Proven academic merit
Excellent attendance record
A commitment to tikanga Māori and te reo Māori
A commitment to community
Are interested in supporting iwi economic, environmental and social development and the hapū and whānau of Uenuku, Tamakana and Tamahaki.
Applications are made by logging into Māori Me and are found under Scholarships, they remain open until 11.59pm on the 16th of March 2025. Awards are made shortly after closing.
Any enquiries can be made to tearatupua@uenuku.iwi.nz
Recipient of Mākōtuku Pure Capital Education Scholarship Reflects on Journey and Future Goals
Maruata Te Honua Ngarewa-Cribb, one of last year’s recipients of the Education Scholarship, shared her journey and vision for the future in an inspiring interview. She highlighted the pivotal role that education and community support play in her development as an educator.
Maruata studied a Bachelor of Primary Teaching at the University of Waikato. Alongside her studies, she had the opportunity to teach indigenous youth about integrating technology into education, blending modern tools with Māori culture and values. Today, Maruata works as a teacher at Devon Intermediate in New Plymouth.
Reflecting on her motivation to apply for the scholarship, Maruata shared, “I wanted to reconnect with my iwi and ask for the opportunity to have some support, because university is not cheap.”
The scholarship has had a profound impact on her personal and professional growth, especially in her final year at university. One notable opportunity was her participation in a global forum for World Youth, where she engaged with peers from 13 countries to discuss the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on education.
“Going out and exploring what the world has to offer—not just what we're doing in Aotearoa but globally—was one of the biggest opportunities I’ve had,” she said.
Maruata’s goals for the future extend beyond her own success. “It’s not about me and what I’ve gained out of this; it’s about how I can give back to our tamariki,” she emphasized, stressing the importance of fostering leadership among future generations.
“I think the most important thing is just giving back to our community—helping them figure out their own sense of identity and tapping into spaces like iwi and hapū.”
Looking ahead, Maruata hopes to continue her academic journey, planning to pursue a master’s degree in education. Her long-term vision is to empower young Māori students and ensure they have the opportunities they deserve.
“Everyone is capable of doing big and bold things,” she added. “We need to dream big and achieve big.”
Maruata also acknowledged the tireless work of her family and iwi, who have fought for generations to secure educational opportunities. She spoke passionately about the significance of the Mākōtuku Pure Capital Education Scholarship as a step toward greater empowerment for her community.
“My whānau worked very hard to give us these opportunities,” she said, expressing gratitude for the scholarship and its potential to open doors for future generations.
