‘Ka mahuta a Matariki i te pae, ka mahuta ō tātaou tūmanako te tau‘
When Matariki rises above the horizon, our aspirations rise to the year ahead.
An aspiring Nurse Practitioner committed to integrating Māori values into contemporary healthcare practices and a passionate public health advocate dedicated to empowering rangatahi (young people) are among the exceptional recipients of this year’s New Zealand Health Group Māori Health Leadership Scholarships.
Maioha Haimona-Ngawharau, Tracy Black, Marcus Tamaira, and Malachi Connor-Rapata were selected out of a talented pool of applicants for this year’s Hiwa-i-te-Rangi scholarship – while our Matariki Scholarship, exclusively for Support Workers within the New Zealand Health Group work-whānau, will be shared amongst Hadassah Wharawhara, Toni-Renee Heke Rogan and Naketa Phillips.
This diverse and inspiring group of recipients have demonstrated their commitment to becoming leaders and decision-makers in healthcare, driven by a shared vision of improving health outcomes for their communities. Each scholarship recipient will receive financial support for study-related expenses, including tuition fees, living costs, and professional development opportunities.
“New Zealand Health Group recognises that one of the most effective ways to achieve Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa – equitable wellbeing for everyone – is by increasing Māori representation across all sectors of healthcare, and nurturing leadership that truly reflects our communities,” says New Zealand Health Group Chief Executive Jane Kelley.
“With more Māori leaders at the helm, our healthcare system will be better placed to address long-standing inequities and provide more culturally appropriate care that addresses the unique challenges faced by Māori.”
Ranei Wineera-Parai, Kaitātari Tumuaki Māori, Chief of Equity at New Zealand Health Group, says this year’s recipients are up for the challenge, demonstrating a deep commitment to driving equitable health outcomes.
“Inspired by their lived experiences and strong cultural connections, this year’s Hiwa-i-te-Rangi and Matariki Scholarship recipients are determined to amplify the voices of our communities,” says Ranei.
“They are aspiring leaders, advocates, educators, and change-makers, all with a clear vision of how they will make a tangible difference to health outcomes for Māori and contribute to a healthier Aotearoa.
“New Zealand Health Group is proud to be part of their journey, supporting and empowering them to achieve their educational and career goals.”
Tracy Black, a Hiwa-i-te-Rangi Scholarship recipient, echoes this vision of a healthcare system that serves all Māori. Aspiring to become a Māori Nurse Practitioner or Māori Nursing Leader, she acknowledges the pivotal role the scholarship plays in making her dreams a reality.
“My drive stems from a deep commitment to my people and a vision of integrating Māori values with contemporary healthcare practices. I am motivated to make a substantial impact by advocating for policies that address the needs of my whānau, hapū, and iwi.
“I am prepared to navigate challenging and often controversial environments, guided by the wisdom of my tipuna and informed by the teachings of Te Ao Tawhito (the old Māori world) and Te Ao Hurihuri (the changing world). My aim is to make decisions that honour our past, present, and future generations while addressing the evolving needs of our communities, ensuring that my efforts lead to authentic, positive change.”
Marcus Tamaira, another Hiwa-i-te-Rangi Scholarship recipient, has transitioned from a career as a farm veterinarian to hauora Māori and Public Health. He explains how the scholarship will support his academic and professional journey:
“The scholarship will be a great assistance to help me complete my Masters in Public Health research and thesis on tāne ora – the mana and mauri of the sons of Tāne Mahuta! I am a staunch advocate for Māori success in school and education, and organisations which get behind Māori tauira to help level the playing field.”
Hadassah Wharawhara, a Matariki Scholarship recipient and New Zealand Health Group Support Worker, says that the scholarship represents more than financial aid—it signifies the support she has in her journey to become an anaesthetic technician.
“Being one of the only persons of Māori descent in my chosen studies, it is an honour to be able to represent our people. To show not just Aotearoa, but the world, that we are talented, we are educated, and we are a people of mana.
“Upon graduating as an anaesthetic technician, my hope is to remove barriers and inequities that our people face when accessing the healthcare system. I want Māori and Pasifika people to feel heard, to feel seen, and leave my service with that feeling of ‘I’d definitely come back here’.”
