Tangata whenua are snapping up grants to study health. The Government says a record 728 students received a Hauora Maori scholarship award this year.
Jonathan Coleman Photo: RNZ / Karen Brown
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said that was the highest number since the scholarship fund began in 2000.
In the medical category alone, 147 students were awarded a scholarship - an increase of 50% since 2009, he said.
Grants worth $1700 were awarded to students studying across a range subjects, including nursing and physiotherapy. Those wanting to become doctors or dentists get $4200.
Dr Coleman said there had also been an increase in Maori participation across the health sector.
But according to the latest Ministry of Health figures, [ http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/health-health-workforce-2013-2014] Maori still only make up a small part of the health workforce.
In the medical sector - which covers doctors and dentists - it was 2.9 percent. For nursing it was 6.6 percent, and representation in midwifery sits at 5.2 percent.