The Legacy Behind the Ngarimu Scholarships
The Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships represent a profound commitment to Māori educational advancement, rooted in the heroic actions of the 28th (Māori) Battalion during World War II. The programme honours Second Lieutenant Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary bravery at the Battle of Tebaga Gap in 1943. Established in 1945 by an Act of Parliament, the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board was created to perpetuate the values of courage, leadership, mateship, and service embodied by these soldiers. Over the decades, the fund has evolved to support exceptional ākonga Māori (Māori students) in tertiary education, fostering leaders who contribute to the social, economic, and cultural wellbeing of their whānau (family), hapū (sub-tribe), and iwi (tribe).
In the context of New Zealand's higher education landscape, these scholarships address longstanding disparities. Māori students comprise approximately 12.7% of domestic university enrolments, a figure that reflects steady growth but still lags behind population parity. Recent data shows a 5.2% increase in Māori tertiary participation, underscoring the role of targeted funding like Ngarimu in driving equity.
2026 Ceremony: A National Celebration of Excellence
The 2026 Ngarimu Scholarships Awards Ceremony, taking place on March 23 at Parliament in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), promises to be a highlight of the higher education calendar. This prestigious event brings together whānau, educators, and leaders to recognise 10 outstanding tertiary recipients: two doctoral candidates, two master's students, three undergraduates, and three vocational education and training (VET) learners. The ceremony not only announces the winners but also features the Ngarimu Video and Waiata Composition Competitions, connecting younger ākonga with their heritage.
Livestreamed for nationwide access, the event from 3:30pm underscores the government's commitment to Māori success in universities and wānanga (Māori tertiary institutions). For those unable to attend in person, view it live via Vimeo.
Tertiary Scholarship Categories and Financial Support
The 2026 offerings prioritise higher education pathways, with substantial funding for university-level study. Here's a breakdown:
| Category | Number Available | Value | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral | 2 | Up to $40,000 | $20,000/year for up to 2 years |
| Master's (General) | 1 | Up to $20,000 | $10,000/year for up to 2 years |
| Master of Education Research | 1 | Up to $20,000 | $10,000/year for up to 2 years |
| Undergraduate | 3 | Up to $30,000 | $10,000/year for up to 3 years |
These scholarships support full-time enrolment at universities, polytechnics (now Te Pūkenga), private providers, or wānanga, covering tuition and related costs. Doctoral applicants must have completed their provisional year and secured supervisor endorsement, while master's candidates submit topic outlines focusing on Māori wellbeing.
Selection Criteria: Embodying the Spirit of the Battalion
Applicants must demonstrate whakapapa (genealogy) to Māori iwi, full-time tertiary enrolment, and qualities mirroring the 28th Battalion: unwavering courage, selfless service, and intellectual rigour. Preference goes to fields enhancing Māori communities, such as education, health, law, and environmental science.
- Academic transcripts or NCEA equivalents verifying achievement.
- Endorsements from educators or supervisors attesting to leadership potential.
- Personal statements (250-500 words) linking studies to Battalion values and iwi aspirations.
- For postgraduates, detailed research proposals benefiting Māori society.
This holistic process ensures recipients are not just high achievers but future change-makers in New Zealand's universities.
Navigating the Application Journey
Applications for 2026 opened in late June 2025 and closed August 17, with selections by the independent board. Step-by-step:
- Verify eligibility and gather whakapapa evidence.
- Secure academic endorsements and transcripts.
- Craft compelling statements on Battalion alignment.
- Submit via the Ministry of Education portal before deadline.
Board deliberations emphasise cultural fit alongside merit, culminating in the ceremonial announcement.
For full details, visit the official scholarships page.
Transformative Impacts on Recipients' Careers
Past Ngarimu scholars have excelled in New Zealand's higher education sector. Tenaya Brown (Te Aitanga a Hauiti ki Uawa), a 2023 recipient at the University of Otago, pursued a Master of Teaching and Learning, crediting the scholarship for enabling her focus on Māori pedagogy. Similarly, recipients like Maraea Coleman (Ngāti Porou) have advanced to influential roles in academia and policy.
These stories illustrate how funding removes barriers, boosting completion rates among Māori postgraduates, which now stand at 27% of Māori uni students—up significantly from prior decades.
Māori Participation in New Zealand Higher Education
Despite progress, challenges persist. Māori represent 17% of the population but only 12.7% of domestic tertiary students, with postgraduate representation growing amid initiatives like Ngarimu. Universities New Zealand reports improved University Entrance (UE) success post-COVID, with targeted programmes lifting Māori achievement by partnering with 19 kura (schools).
- 5.2% year-on-year growth in Māori enrolments.
- 74% of Māori aged 25-64 hold at least school qualifications, up from 65% a decade ago.
- Key barriers: financial pressures, rural access, cultural disconnection.
Scholarships like Ngarimu bridge these gaps, particularly at institutions like University of Auckland and Otago, where Māori health and education programmes thrive.
Addressing Challenges and Driving Equity
New Zealand's universities face pressures like grade inflation and funding shortfalls, disproportionately affecting underrepresented groups. Ngarimu counters this by prioritising research on Māori-specific issues, such as te reo revitalisation and health disparities. Experts note scholarships enhance retention, with alumni contributing to wānanga leadership and iwi development projects.
Future Outlook for Māori Tertiary Leaders
As New Zealand aims for Viksit Bharat-like educational parity, Ngarimu positions Māori scholars at the forefront of AI, sustainability, and interdisciplinary fields. With international partnerships expanding at unis like Waikato, expect recipients to drive global Māori perspectives. Applications reopen mid-2026, inviting the next generation to carry the Battalion's torch.
Explore more on Māori student success via Universities NZ.
Photo by Dawn Casey on Unsplash
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Applicants
- Build a strong academic record early.
- Engage in iwi leadership roles.
- Seek mentorship from past recipients.
- Align studies with Māori upliftment goals.
These scholarships not only fund degrees but ignite lifelong service.
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