Yamada O’Regan - Secondary School Scholarships

Scholarship Objective

This scholarship supports Ngāi Tahu students who show leadership and resilience and are at risk of not completing their school year or qualification without additional support. It is designed to reduce barriers, strengthen educational outcomes, and enable rangatahi to continue their leadership journey within their whānau, hapū, and communities.

Yamada O’Regan Secondary School Scholarship

Named after Masashi Yamada and Tā Tipene O’Regan, these scholarships are a representation of cross-cultural friendship and also profound generosity.

In the 90s, Masashi Yamada, a successful Japanese businessman and philanthropist (introduced to Tā Tipene by fellow Ngāi Tahu, Dr Graham Kitson), extended a multimillion-dollar lifeline to the iwi. This loan provided a lifeline which enabled Ngāi Tahu to continue with Te Kerēme. Post settlement Yamada again displayed his generosity and commitment to the development of indigenous cultures by gifting a substantial fund to establish a trust.

As a result, the Ngāi Tahu Mātauranga Trust was established in 2001 to provide and promote educational opportunities for the benefit of Ngāi Tahu whānui.

Mr Masashi Yamada (1923–2025)

Mr Yamada passed away following a life marked by generosity, vision, and a deep commitment to cross-cultural friendship. His support was instrumental in our journey to settlement and in creating educational opportunities for future generations of Ngāi Tahu rangatahi. His legacy endures through the Yamada-O’Regan Secondary School Scholarship and the lasting ties between the Yamada family, the O’Regan whānau and Ngāi Tahu whānau whānui.

To read a brochure developed in honour of the friendship between Masashi Yamada and Tā Tipene O’Regan and the significant legacy of Yamada’s contributions to Ngāi Tahu, click this link: An Enduring Relationship

Level of Funding Available

The scholarship amount awarded will vary depending on the number and needs of applicants. You must submit a clear and realistic budget outlining how the scholarship will be used. Guidance on funding ranges and eligible costs will be provided within the application form to help you prepare. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Registered with Ngāi Tahu Whakapapa
• Enrolled in a secondary school (Years 10–13)

Applicants must also:

• Be experiencing ongoing challenges that are creating a real risk to their ability to complete the school year or achieve a qualification, where additional support would make a meaningful difference. These challenges may include financial, environmental, physical, educational, or other personal circumstances.

AND

• Demonstrate active involvement in whānau, hapū, or iwi-related activities, or a willingness to strengthen these connections where barriers exist

AND

• Demonstrate leadership qualities through their actions, behaviours, or contributions within their school, whānau, or community.

Open/Close Dates

Applications open November 1 and close February 1 each year. The selection panel meets in mid-May to make decisions, with payments made thereafter.

How to apply
Applications must be submitted via Te Kopa Ora - Ngāi Tahu Grants Portal using Ngāi Tahu login details (whakapapa registration number and password).

Registration

Applicants must be registered with Ngāi Tahu Whakapapa. If the applicant is not yet registered with Ngāi Tahu, we encourage you to begin the process. More information available here. 

Contact Information

Phone: 0800 524 8248 (0800 Kāi Tahu)
Email: [email protected]

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Te Whare o Te Waipounamu
15 Show Place, Addington, Christchurch 8024
P.O. Box 13 046, Christchurch 8141