April 2016 - Maniapoto Maori Trust Board

Recipient Stories – Ella Golding

Ella Golding (Rereahu, Te Ihingarangi), was the successful recipient of the 2015-16 Sister Grace Scholarship ($5,000). Ella started her journey in completing a Bachelor of Teaching at the University of Waikato this year, with a strong belief on the importance of education for and within Maniapoto.

Ella aspires to be the type of teacher who inspires and can make an impact on young childrens’ lives and also acknowledges the key role that whānau and extended whānau play in helping to nuture each child as they grow up

Sister Grace Scholarship has distributed $20,000 to date.

Recipient Stories – Waiarini Edwards

Waiarini Edwards (Ngāti Mahuta) is one of four recipients of the Graymont (NZ) Limited Scholarships. She is completing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Waikato.

This year, MMTB was privileged to be able to continue to provide four Graymont (NZ) Limited Scholarships. These scholarships are each worth a total of $1,000 and offered to students studying within the field of environmental studies at an undergraduate tertiary level.

Waiarini has a strong passion for the environment. She says “Gaining in depth knowledge from a science perspective and incorporating it with tikanga and kawa that our tūpuna have practiced for many years is my main goal. As a child who was born and bred in and around the sea, I would love to preserve all of Ngāti Mahuta and Maniapoto moana, and gain the nutritious food that our tūpuna lived off for many years”.

Recipient Stories – Hariata White

Hariata Harper (Ngāti Apakura) is also a recipient of a Graymont (NZ) Limited Scholarship. She is completing her Bachelor of Sciences and has a passion for the environment since she was a young girl.

She fondly recalls helping her Nana with her māra kai. The idea of preserving te taiao for future generations inspires and motivates her learn as much as she can about the earth.

Hariata says “Being Māori, our awa, maunga, whenua, coast, flora and fauna are a part of who we are and is a crucial part to our identity. Tangata whenua ‘people of the land’ signifies the importance of the environment of Māori identity. I believe that is our responsibility that we be a part of the restoration of our waters and land.”