2023 Kupe Scholars announced

Recipients of this prestigious scholarship are recognised for their high academic achievement and leadership potential.

The Kupe Scholarship, worth over $22,000, aims to attract highly accomplished Māori and Pacific students to the teaching profession and support them to become teachers in early learning, primary and secondary education.

The inspiring scholars were celebrated with an awards ceremony hosted by the Associate Ministers of Education Hon Kelvin Davis and Hon Jo Luxton at Parliament buildings on Wednesday 2 August 2023.

Congratulations to all our 2023 Kupe Scholars. A full list of this year’s scholars is below.

For information on the next round of Kupe Scholarships for Māori and Pacific High Achievers, visit the Education Workforce website.

Kupe Scholarships for Māori and Pacific High Achievers – Education Workforce

List of Māori Kupe scholars

• Moana Besselink
• Ruby Leanne Borland-Fraser
• Manaia Canterbury
• Karen J Dell
• Grace Foster
• Krystal Aroha Ratu Hasler
• Alexander Thomas David Hickman
• Amiria Ihaka
• Taimana Iversen
• Tania Rose Jackson
• Caity Kenny
• Brylee Kingi-Piahana
• Ty Matika
• Jurnee Moore
• Braxton Murray
• Autumn Portia Pomare
• Emma Rose Purves
• Rutene Raukawa Victor Rickard
• Jessica Elizabeth Stock
• Shaquille Jordan Te Kawau Stone
• Jordaan Wihongi
• Kim Willison.

List of Pacific Kupe scholars

• Hans Purcell Percy Aiono
• Kenneth Chapman
• Navili Ne’ole Maladina
• Katerina Siakifilo-Davis
• Tamara Sikuri
• Shaleshni Lata Singh
• Vilipasi Christopher Tau’alupe
• Ana Va’afusuaga
• Pevelini Beverley Aiga Tulia Wihongi.