Thirteen Māori scholars are the recipients of the 2022 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships, announced today by Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis at Te Rau Aroha Museum on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Kelvin Davis presented the awards alongside Willie Apiata VC, and Tā Robert Gillies. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Typically held at Parliament, this is the first time the awards have been held outside of Wellington.
The vocational, undergraduate, masters and doctorate scholarships are awarded to exceptional Māori applicants who possess characteristics that are consistent with members of the 28th (Māori) Battalion.
The awards were presented by Davis, Willie Apiata VC, and Tā Robert Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion.
Davis said the recipients included some of the highest-achieving Māori tertiary students at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level.
Over 200 scholarships have been awarded since the formation of the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board in 1945.