This scholarship is for ākonga doing vocational education, including:

• apprenticeships
• traineeships
• courses at a tertiary education provider, including Te Pūkenga and its subsidiaries, private providers, and wānanga.

You can apply if:

• your course leads to a certificate or a diploma at NZQA levels 4 to 7. If you are not sure what level your course is at, you can ask your tutor
• you can be doing your course in a workplace as an apprentice or be doing classes at a provider
• your course is at least 120 credits and is full time
• you are doing a level 4 apprenticeship: this scholarship is focused on ākonga who have completed years 1 to 2 of their apprenticeship and are enrolling in their third or fourth subsequent year.

This scholarship is not for ākonga doing a bachelor's degree. If you are doing a bachelor's degree you can apply for the undergraduate Ngarimu scholarship.

You must be enrolled for your course in the year that you receive the money for the scholarship. For example, if you apply for the scholarship in 2025, you will get the money for the scholarship in 2026. You must still be enrolled in your course in 2026. If you are doing an apprenticeship and you move to a new employer, you can still keep getting the scholarship as long as you stay enrolled in that apprenticeship.

Your application must include:

• a verified tertiary academic transcript or, if are still to start study, your NZQA record of learning for NCEA Level 2 (and Level 3 if applicable) or equivalent Cambridge International Examinations or International Baccalaureate
• an endorsement of your academic achievement and suitability to study.

We offer 2 master's level scholarships:

• 1 Master of Education research scholarship for candidates who are planning to complete Māori education research as part of their master’s degree. The research may involve various aspects of Māori education including student learning, teaching methods, teacher training, and classroom dynamics
• 1 master's scholarship for candidates studying any other subject.

Applications for both scholarships will need to include:

• an endorsement of your academic achievement and suitability to study
• a brief statement of up to 250 words outlining the topic, the reasons for your interest in the subject area and your future expectations.

You can apply for both scholarships.

If you are applying for the doctoral scholarship you must include:

• confirmation that you have completed your provisional year in a PhD programme
• confirmation that your tertiary institution's doctoral committee has approved your full enrolment status in the PhD programme
• a 500-word essay outlining the topic of your thesis/doctorate, and
• a reference from your chief supervisor.