The June Robinson Kuru Ponamu Memorial Scholarship
The June Robinson Kuru Ponamu Memorial Scholarship was created in 2024 in honour of Whaea June Robinson to support registered iwi members studying towards a tertiary qualification in health and wellbeing. Priority will be given to applicants that are studying a major in Māori models of health or can demonstrate a commitment to encouraging hauora for our whānau.
Whaea June spent her professional career advocating for the needs of our whānau both locally and nationally. She was a dedicated Māori liaison officer for the largest geographical region, Jackson Bay to Karamea. Whaea June was instrumental in the settlement and subsequent privy council hearing for Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō. This scholarship memorialises her commitment to Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and a lifetime of service advocating for the wellbeing of Māori communities.
Scholarship recipients will receive $5,000 per year towards course fees and $1,000 towards course materials and/or travel per annum for the duration of the course, for up to three years (subject to annual satisfactory completion and submission of results).
One scholarship is available annually, with up to three scholars being funded at any one time.
The successful applicant may have the opportunity to undertake work or an internship (in a paid capacity) for the iwi on occasion (though no guarantee of work is provided by the Trust).
The following areas of Hauora will be considered, but not limited to:
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Medical (including dentistry)
- Allied health, scientific & technical, including but not limited to:
- Social Work
- Pharmacy
- Oral Health Therapy
- Anaesthetic Tech
- Radiation Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Counselling
- Psychology
- Chiropractic
- Physiotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Rongoā
Applicant Eligibility
- Applicants must be a registered member of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō
- Applicants must be attending a recognised tertiary institution in NZ
- Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-level course, majoring in the fields of health and well-being.
Conditions
- The successful applicant will commit to participating and assisting with iwi events where possible.
- The successful applicant will provide a report twice-yearly to the Trustees of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, offering insights into their tertiary experience, challenges, and successes.
- Scholarship recipients agree to the use of their photograph and summary profile in Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō publications and digital media.
- Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō has entered into a partnership with the Māori Education Trust which allows our successful grant/scholarship recipients to receive additional funding for their study. As such, the applicant agrees to Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Charitable Trust sharing this application and all associated documentation with the Māori Education Trust, for the purposes of receiving additional funding for tertiary studies.
- The successful applicant is ineligible for further education grants and scholarships from the Trust during the period of receiving this scholarship.
- The Trust’s decision on any application is final.
Privacy
All information provided by applicants is held by the Trust in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Privacy Act.
It is recommended that you apply for your scholarship AND an education grant, as only one scholar is able to be funded each year. If you are successful in receiving a scholarship, your education grant for that round will be automatically declined.
Your application is processed through your MaoriMe account. If this is the first time logging in, our office needs to check your details. Please allow 24 hours for processing or please call Lynne during office hours on 0800 578 900 if you have any issues.