Fund Details

UC Kaitoko Māori Scholarship (Incoming First-Year Scholarship)

Award Amount

$15,000 + UC Māori leadership programme (Paihere) and a UC-sponsored general leadership programme.

Brief Description:

To apply for this scholarship, please use the UC Incoming First-Year Scholarships 2027 application form. Applications open 11 June 2026 and close 6 August 2026

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognise leadership potential, involvement in community and cultural activities, and high academic achievement amongst intending first-year ākonga | students who have whakapapa Māori at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.

Value/Benefits:
a. Financial assistance at a value of $15,000; and
b. The opportunity to participate in the UC Māori leadership programme, Paihere; and
c. The opportunity to participate in a UC-sponsored general leadership programme

Level of Study: Incoming First-Year Undergraduate

Closing Date: 11:59 pm (NZT) 7 August* (Applications open approximately 8 weeks before this date.)

*If the 7th falls on a Friday or Saturday, the closing day will change as follows:

If it is a Friday, the closing date will shift to Thursday, 6th August
If it is a Saturday, the closing date will shift to Sunday, 8th August

Tenure: One year

Number Available Annually: Determined annually, with a proportion reserved for ākonga | students who have whakapapa Ngāi Tahu.

Applicable Enrolment During Tenure: The scholarship is tenable during full-time enrolment in the first year of any undergraduate degree programme at the University of Canterbury.

Citizenship/Residency Requirements: Must be a citizen of Aotearoa New Zealand or Australia, or hold an Aotearoa New Zealand residence class visa, or be an international student studying at secondary level in New Zealand

Special Requirements: Must have whakapapa Māori

For more information, please read the regulations for this award: click here.

Special Eligibility Requirements:

Must have whakapapa Māori and be:

a citizen of Aotearoa New Zealand, or Australia; or
hold an Aotearoa New Zealand residence class visa; or
an international student studying at secondary level in New Zealand.

Applicants must not have been enrolled in a degree programme at any tertiary institute.*

*Participation in STAR courses, community education courses offered by tertiary institutions, orientation or general interest programmes run by tertiary institutions for secondary school students does not preclude eligibility for this award.

Additional Information:

The Kaihautu Ka Waimaero | Director of the Ngai Tahu Research Centre (or nominee) makes recommendations for those scholarships considered for akonga | students who have whakapapa Ngāi Tahu.

Contact Information:

For questions about this application, please contact Scholarships Office at scholarships@canterbury.ac.nz

Search Filters:

Level of Study

Incoming First-Year Undergraduate

Faculty/School

General (Any Faculty/School)
Arts
Business
Law
Education
Health
Engineering
Science

Domestic/International Students

Domestic
International currently studying in a New Zealand secondary school

Equity Awards

Maori students
Mature students

Award Type

Any
Scholarship