Battalion award boost for Waikato students
Waikato University students have received a prestigious Maori scholarship for their services to te reo Maori and its revitalisation.
Three Waikato University students have been awarded the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Maori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Award.
Education Minister Hekia Parata, who chairs the Ngarimu VC and 28th Maori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board, said they look for people who embody what the Battalion is about.
“To honour the spirit and sacrifice of the Battalion soldiers we must ensure their legacy lives on in future generations, especially among tomorrow’s leaders,” said Parata.
Masters students Jamie Rolleston, 26, and Kristin, 25, were awarded $15,000 and Aperahama Hurihanganui, 21, who is studying a conjoint law and tikanga Maori degree, won $10,000 for the duration of his undergraduate study.
The Ngarimu scholarships are designed to support Maori education, achievement and success.
Rolleston is a second-language learner of te reo, so it seems fitting her thesis is about the value of te reo Maori and the benefits for adult learners.
She was intimidated by the application process for the scholarship but was encouraged by her partner Kiharoa Milroy, who received the award for his undergraduate study last year.
“I’d always seen it advertised at uni so I applied for it [the scholarship] and forgot all about it. I never thought I’d get it.”
As part of her research, Rolleston teaches te reo one night a week in Rotorua and is grateful to be able to immerse herself in something she loves.
“It’s helpful not having to stress. It’s a full-time job and this definitely enabled me to focus on my thesis, it’s great.
“It wasn’t a smooth ride. I’ve had many failures but just as many successes.”
Rolleston is half-way through her thesis research and plans to finish in March next year.
She hopes her master’s degree will enable her to one-day work with her iwi, Ngati Whakaue.
“I want to be teaching te reo in my community and creating resources for Maori. But ultimately, I want to work with my iwi,” said Rolleston.
“There is such a need out there. There is a need for teaching and a need for resources.”
The awards ceremony was held last month and attended by more than 100 former Ngarimu scholarship recipients.
Parata said entries were of a high calibre and it made it difficult to select only a few.
“I want to congratulate the successful scholars who will not only receive significant financial assistance with their studies, but will also carry the mana of being a scholarship holder for life.”
Applications for the Ngarimu VC & 28th (Maori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships are now open and close on 26 September 2014.
