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.”