Media Release

26 February 2007

Applications Now Available for Ministry of Health's Hauora Māori Scholarships 2007

More than 500 scholarships are available to assist students studying health and disability issues, with a particular focus on Māori health.

Associate Minister of Health Mita Ririnui says the Hauora Māori Scholarship programme has gained popularity in recent years and the Ministry receives well over 500 applications each year.

"This is pleasing to us because it shows that more young people are taking up careers within the Māori health sector. We have also seen a trend towards an increase in the number of health management and post graduate scholarships being awarded, which is a positive sign that more Māori are entering the health management fields and continuing their studies to post-graduate levels."

Included in the scholarship programme are the John McLeod Scholarships, awarded to a small number of applicants who have achieved outstanding academic success in Māori health. In 2007 two scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded.

A previous Hauora Māori Scholarship recipient Katrina Tuanui has recently completed four years of study towards her physiotherapy degree at Auckland University of Technology. Ms Tuanui is now working at a private physiotherapy clinic in Auckland and says the financial support from the Hauora Māori Scholarship she received over the past four years was a tremendous help and made her years of studying far less stressful.

Ms Tuanui is originally from the Chatham Islands and hopes to go back there to practice physiotherapy once she has gained some clinical experience, to give something back to her community.

Hauora Māori Scholarships are available to anyone who is -

enrolled and attending a University, Polytechnic, Wananga or College of Education
studying a health-related NZQA accredited course of at least 12 weeks in duration
can demonstrate a commitment to and/or competence in Māori health and well-being studies
has whakapapa and/or cultural links with Te Ao Māori or Māori communities

Mita Ririnui says, "I encourage students who fit the criteria to submit their application by April 13th, 2007. Forms and guidelines are available from today (26 February 2007) through the Ministry of Health's website: http://www.maorihealth.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexma/hauora-maori-scholarships-2007

ENDS

For interviews with Associate Minister of Health Mita Ririnui, please phone Hingatu Thompson, Health Advisor on (04) 471 9576