Mātai 2024 Scholarship Students 

Thanks to the generous support of community funders, 19 school leavers in 2024 received Mātai scholarships.  

Mātai has continued to grow its annual scholarship awards for local students heading to university.

The 2024 scholarship winners are: Lena Keenan (Certificate of Health Sciences), Noah Mason (Bachelor of Science), Panth Patel (Certificate of Health Sciences), Holly McIntyre (Bachelor of Science), Theo Mackay (Bachelor of Health Science), Taitiana Finau (Bachelor of Health Sciences), Ky Bartlett (Bachelor of Science and Exercise Science), Manaia Mill (Bachelor of Science), Naiya Powley (Bachelor of Health Science-Physiotherapy), Roman Seaton (Bachelor of Computing Systems Programme), Luka Jones (Bachelor of Computer Science), Kale Te Kira (Certificate of Health Sciences), Ned Clarke (Bachelor of Science), Lucy Murphy (Bachelor of Engineering), Jarrod Ormiston (Bachelor of Engineering), Amandine Mariette (Bachelor of Science), Tanay Goldsbury (Certificate of Health Sciences), Tui Cave (Bachelor of Engineering), Cheidan-Perenara Moetara (Certificate in Health Sciences). 

Mātai CE/Research Director, Samantha Holdsworth said “Supporting these bright young minds is one of the best parts of the job. The future of science and health is in good hands”.

To date, Mātai has supported a total of 43 undergraduate scholarships and 64 internships for Tairāwhiti-connected students. 

This year’s scholarships were supported by: Turanga Health, Dawson Building Co., QUEST Trust, Mangatawa Beale Williams Memorial Trust, Pultron Composites Ltd, Dr Katharine Holdsworth, and the Holdsworth Family. 

Reweti Ropiha, CEO of Tūranga Health said “We are growing rangatahi by exposing them to global opportunities and scientific achievement that leads them on a pathway to excellence. It is a rich and rewarding experience to be part of the journey to foster rangatahi talent within Tairāwhiti.” 

The Mātai School Leavers Scholarship provides support to New Zealand’s future innovators in medical research and technology. This scholarship is open to secondary school students in their final year of school, who are looking to pursue tertiary studies in bioengineering, medical imaging, medical physics, computer science, or health and medical sciences in 2025. Priority is given to students from the Tairāwhiti region.