Inaugral Manini-Tua Iwi Scholarship.Toitu Ngati Porou Chair Lilian Tangaere-Baldwin , Huhana Tuhaka Great Aunt Of Recipient Atawhai Papuni-Hohepa (Absent) Ramari Fox Recipient , Waata Shepherd EIT Tairawhiti Campus Manager. (Photo courtesy of R Grunwell Gisborne Herald)

Two East Coast women are the first recipients of a new partner scholarship between Ngati Porou and the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT). 
Ramari Fox, 25, from Ruatorea was honoured with her scholarship in a special ceremony at Te Tini O Ngati Porou surrounded by whānau. 

Ramari is in her last year of a Bachelor of Creative Practice, Screen Production at the Hawke’s Bay campus. She has been doing an internship with an Auckland Māori production company and has recently been offered full time work there.  

“I am grateful for the help to cover costs of studying this year,” she said. 

Atawhai  Papuni-Hohepa from Rangitukia, attended the scholarship ceremony through Zoom.  

In the final semester of a nursing degree through EIT in Hawke’s Bay, Atawhai was in the middle of a placement so was unable to attend in person. Her scholarship certificate was collected by her great aunty Huhana Tuhaka. 

“I am coming to the end of my nursing degree and I am so thankful for the putea (money) to help me with financial assistance. The last thing I want to start my adult life with is a student loan,” said April. 

Speaking on behalf of the Toitu Ngati Porou Charitable Trust, Herewini Te Koha said the Manini-tua scholarship covered EIT study fees for 2020. 

“The Manini-tua scholarship is a new partner scholarship between Ngati Porou and EIT Te Aho a Maui and aims to support Ngati Porou iwi members studying in areas of strategic significance to Ngati Porou. 

“Manini-tua and Manini-aro are the sacred paddles (hoe) from the Takitimu waka. As the hoe was a tool that supported the journey of the waka, we see this scholarship as a tool to assist you in your academic progression and the pursuit of a career in your chosen field,” he said. 

EIT Tairāwhiti campus manager Waata Shepherd said a third selected recipient was already receiving a TeachNZ scholarship so it would be reallocated to someone else at a later date. 

There were three scholarships for each of the iwi around the rohe (district). 

“EIT sees value and is proud to have these strategic alliances with iwi and wish the recipients all the best for the future,” he said.