Kā Pūtea Scholarships

Kā Pūtea Scholarships are available to all registered Ngāi Tahu members who are currently enrolled and studying towards a NZQA recognised tertiary qualification or an international equivalent. The scholarships aim to support higher learning and help students connect with their Ngāi Tahutanga.

Kā Pūtea Scholarships are awarded based on applicants’ academic achievements and their engagement with whānau, hapū or iwi-related activities.

Kā Pūtea Scholarships are not available to first year students who are eligible for the Fees Free initiative.

Applications for the 2023 academic year have now closed.

Undergraduate Scholarships (Certificate to Level 7)

There are 58 Undergraduate Targeted Scholarships available, these are worth up to $1,500 each.
Applications that are unsuccessful within the category above (Targeted Undergraduate Scholarship) will be forwarded to and considered by the Papatipu Rūnanga that are identified by the applicant in their application.
- NB: A total of 18 Papatipu Rūnanga Scholarships are available to the value of $1,500 (each Papatipu Rūnanga has $1,500 available to award to one recipient or split between multiple recipients). In fairness to others, it is not possible for an applicant to receive more than one of the Papatipu Rūnanga Scholarships in a single year.

Postgraduate Scholarships (Levels 8,9 & 10)

There are 24 Postgraduate Scholarships available:
- Honours (12) valued up to $3,000 per scholarship
- Masters (8) valued up to $5,000 per scholarship
- Doctorate (4) valued up to $10,000 per scholarship
Postgraduate Scholarships are assessed based on academic excellence in the applicant’s targeted area of tertiary study; and proven contribution(s) of postgraduate research to Ngāi Tahu.

Exceptional Scholarships

The purpose of this fund is to support students who have the opportunity to obtain qualifications that are of an exceptional nature i.e. students studying overseas at a prestigious institute.
Exceptional Scholarships are discretionary in nature and applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
All applications need to evidence engagement and connectedness and or reciprocity to whānau, hapū and iwi.

Required Documentation

Proof of enrolment at tertiary institute. A template for your tertiary institute can be downloaded here.
Verified proof of bank account i.e. scanned copy of bank deposit slip.
Evidence of previous years’ study i.e. academic transcript.
Outline of Ngāi Tahu/Papatipu Rūnanga involvement.
Statement of support for your application i.e. a letter from a Ngāi Tahu member or Ngāi Tahu associated group who can attest to your suitability for a Kā Pūtea Scholarship.
Prepared essay (no more than 1,000 words)
- Undergraduate question: Please explain how you plan to use the skills and knowledge obtained from your tertiary studies to show evidence of reciprocity to Ngāi Tahu iwi, whānau and hapū.
- Postgraduate question: Select ONE of the below seven key areas and provide an essay discussing how your qualification(s) will impact the advancement of Ngāi Tahu in your chosen area.
  - Mahinga kai
  - Whakapapa
  - Whenua/Taiao
  - Mahi Toi
  - Hauora
  - Mātauranga

NB: Supporting documentation must be verified copies of originals.

Kā Pūtea Scholarships are pro-rata, meaning that the overall amount awarded is based on the number of credits that an applicant is enrolled in. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 120 credits to receive the amounts aforementioned.

All efforts will be made by Ngāi Tahu Grants staff to follow-up on any pending applications, however, incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the selection panel.

*Recipients of the Matakahi Cadetship are ineligible for Kā Pūtea Scholarships.

For any other queries about Kā Pūtea Scholarships, please contact the Ngāi Tahu Grants team on 0800 524 8248 or email: [email protected]