Student teachers win Kupe scholarship

Teaching assistant at Te Kohanga Reo o Whareroa Kataraina Ngairo (second from the right). Photo: Supplied.

Three Bay of Plenty student teachers have been awarded a Kupe scholarship by associate education minister Tim Macindoe in a ceremony held in parliament.

Paora Ranui from Tauranga, Kataraina Ngairo from Mount Maunganui and Parekatene Potaka from Rotorua all received this prestigious scholarship to help them complete their teaching qualification.

'These individuals are passionate about their respective communities. The scholarship gives them the opportunity to continue making a difference,” says Ministry of Education's deputy secretary of early learning and student achievement Ellen MacGregor-Reid.

'Behind each recipient is an incredible back story of drive and purpose that has got them here today and they should be congratulated for their efforts.”

The scholarships recognise highly accomplished Maori and Pacific students and support them to complete their teaching qualification and gain further success teaching in New Zealand.

Each year, 30 Kupe Scholarships are awarded to Maori and Pasifika students based on strong academic success and demonstrable leadership experience in their respective communities.

Kupe scholarship recipients will have their course fees paid, receive a $15,000 study allowance, and professional mentoring and assistance with finding a job.

Paora just graduated from Auckland University of Technology and is now studying towards a graduate diploma in secondary teaching at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in Tauranga.

He says he believes in sharing education with whanau and people, and that anyone can be a leader.

After completing his sports degree, he organised a 12 week boot camp for family and friends, sharing the knowledge he gained from his university studies and his own personal journey.

He also helped facilitate He Ara Tika, a big sports day for Maori secondary students from five schools around the region.

Kataraina is a teaching assistant (kaiawhina) at Te Kohanga Reo o Whareroa in Mount Maunganui and is in her second year of studying towards a Bachelor of Education in teaching.

She says becoming a qualified teacher is a childhood dream and she draws inspiration from a number of role models like her grandmother, and other teachers who taught her.

Parekatene is a graduate from Waikato University and is currently studying towards the Te Aho Paerewa postgraduate diploma of teaching and learning in Maori medium at Massey University.

She says she has always had a passion for Te Reo Maori and hauora (health) and is excited to help children thrive and learn.

Auckland University of Technology graduate Paora Ranui (right). Photo: Supplied.

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