Rangatahi wins Oxford University scholarship

By Daniel Nielsen

This tāne is one to watch.

Connor Redmile (Ōtākou, Moeraki) has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to Oxford. The Christ Church Oxford Wakefield Graduate Scholarship is worth $110,000 and will enable the 23-year-old to undertake a Master of Science (MSc) in Water Science, Policy, and Management, starting in October.

“It’s a great opportunity,” says Connor, with a characteristic beaming smile.

He says he can’t wait to mix with the 20 other students in the programme, aspiring water scientists from all around the world including countries like India, Canada, Ghana, and Switzerland.

“I’m excited about learning what challenges they have in relation to water, whether it’s water scarcity, lack of access, economic disparities; problems that don’t necessarily exist here in New Zealand.”

Connor says a major issue related to water in New Zealand is infrastructure.

“We don’t treat water the way we should. We over-use it, we pollute it, and we haven’t spent the money required to build good infrastructure. Short-term thinking, basically, is the issue. We’re waiting until damage occurs before making changes.”

Connor is a fulltime scientific advisor at Te Kura Taka Pini (the Ngāi Tahu freshwater entity), a job he got after completing an internship at the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre. Last year, he juggled fulltime post-graduate study with the job.

How?

“Lots of early mornings, late nights, and weekends,” he laughs.

“The flexibility I was allowed working at Te Kura Taka Pini was amazing.”

Connor says Te Kura Taka Pini chief executive Gabrielle Huria shoulder-tapped him about the Christ Church Oxford Wakefield scholarship.

In humble fashion, Connor figured, “Okay, why not?”

Born and raised in Ōtepoti, Connor is the first in his family to go to university and to really delve into his Ngāi Tahu whakapapa.

His nana Ruth Williams (Tipene whānau) is “over the moon”, he says.

When Connor was asked for a photo to go with a mention of his scholarship in the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu CEO Report, he drove from Christchurch to Dunedin to ensure he got an up-to-date photo with his mum and nana, even if it meant the long drive.

Connor’s goal is to be a leading freshwater scientist, but for the next year or so, he will “see what doors open and then follow that”.

He is keen to do well in his MSc and maybe go on to complete a doctorate (PhD).

Eventually, he will bring his knowledge and skills back to help his iwi and country.

For now, he is working on a guide for others to follow when they apply for the scholarship he has received, and he is encouraging any Ngāi Tahu rangatahi, who are academically ambitious, to reach out.

“I just love to share knowledge, especially about Wai Māori,” says Connor.