Our Kahurangi Scholarships cover study fees for highly-deserving applicants who would otherwise struggle to afford to study and qualify as a teacher.
The scholarships support equitable access to study and enable people to become much-needed early childhood or primary kaiako, faiāʻoga and teachers for tamariki in their communities.
Background
Launched for study in 2023 and beyond, the Kahurangi Scholarships mark 60 years since the organisation was formed in 1963 to advance quality teaching, education and care for all young tamariki.
The scholarships support our commitment to equity and growing a culturally responsive teaching workforce by reducing the socio-economic barriers that may prevent some people from starting initial teacher education.
Description
A Kahurangi Scholarship will pay study fees for the full duration of the following programmes:
- Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) (three years)
- Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) (three years)
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) (one year)
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) (one year)
Selection criteria
The Kahurangi Scholarship is intended to support highly-deserving applicants who would otherwise struggle to afford study because of socio-economic barriers. The scholarships will be awarded competitively to new students on the basis of equity, merit and commitment to community and tamariki.
There are categories for people of NZ Māori descent and Pasifika ethnicity, as well as people of any ethnicity.
Scholarship application process
Apply for a scholarship
Applications close on:
- 24 June 2024 for programmes beginning in Semester Two 2024 (Bachelor of Teaching ECE only).
- 12 January 2025 for programmes beginning in Semester One 2025 (all ECE and primary teaching programmes).
- 24 June 2025 for programmes beginning in Semester Two 2025 (Bachelor of Teaching ECE only).
To be considered, the following must be received by 5pm on the closing date:
- Completed online scholarship application form
- All supporting documents including references, endorsements and IRD statements (see below)
- Completed application to study in the intended programme (apply via the Apply Now button on the relevant programme web page)
Late or partially completed applications will not be considered for a scholarship.
Eligibility
- Applicants must meet the admission criteria for the programme they wish to study.
- Applicants must be new students, not already studying in a Bachelor or Graduate Diploma of Teaching.
- Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents, currently residing in New Zealand
- Applicants for Māori or Pasifika categories must be of NZ Māori descent or Pacific ethnicity.
- Applicants must be intending to begin study in the semester immediately following their application, either full-time or part-time.
Supporting documents
Your scholarship application must be supported by the following documents:
- A personal statement, less than two pages, outlining:
- Your goals for your teaching career
- Your involvement and commitment to your community and tamariki
- Your personal attributes, achievements and strengths that you feel would make you an outstanding kaiako, teacher or faiāʻoga in your community.
- Why you want to study teaching with Te Rito Maioha
- Two references from people of standing in your community who know you well. This could include a school principal or senior teacher if you are recent school leaver; a leader of a community organisation, church or iwi group you are connected with; an ECE service manager or school principal where you are employed or volunteer. They cannot be a family member.
- IRD statement of earnings. Depending on your situation, you need to provide:
- an IRD statement of earnings from parents and/or caregivers who provide you with financial support; or
- if you are self-supporting you need to supply your own IRD statement of earnings (and an IRD earnings statement for your partner/spouse, if you have one).
- Depending on the scholarship category(s) you fall under, the following additional documents will also be required. You will be considered for all categories that apply to you.
- NZ Māori - reference from a Kaumatua such as an iwi representative of a Runanga or Trust Board that can endorse your whakapapa
- Pasifika - an endorsement of your ethnicity from your School Dean for Pasifika or their nominee, a Pasifika community member or Pasifika Liaison Officer.
Selection process
Applicants will be considered and recommended by the Te Rito Maioha Scholarship Committee. The Chief Executive will make the final decision.
Successful applicants will be notified within three weeks of the application closing date.
Conditions
A completed online application form and all supporting documents must be submitted by 5pm on the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.
All offers of the Kahurangi Scholarship are conditional upon the recipient being confirmed to begin study in the semester following application, in one of the following programmes:
- Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
- Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later semester or year. Applicants who wish to delay their study to a later semester or year may re-apply for the Scholarship.
Should the recipient withdraw from study during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, Te Rito Maioha reserves the right to withdraw the scholarship. Recipients must advise Te Rito Maioha if they intend to withdraw.
During their study, recipients of Te Rito Maioha Scholarships are expected to:
- show outstanding commitment to their study
- contribute to their ECE centres, schools and community
- act as ambassadors for Te Rito Maioha and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
After graduation, scholarship recipients are expected to continue to make a positive contribution to the education sector and their community.
At the discretion of the Chief Executive, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.
Apply for a scholarship