2025 education grants Are now closed and will reopen 1 February 2026

The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board is strongly committed to supporting the learning and educational achievements of our people. We value education as a critical tool in our ongoing tribal development. Our education grants and scholarships provide support to our whānau to unlock their potential and grow our leaders of tomorrow.

The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board acknowledges the financial support received from Ngāti Tūwharetoa Fisheries Charitable Trust and the Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust which enables us to provide more support to our people engaging in education.

EDUCATION GRANTS

Before applying for an education grant you must be registered with either the:

1. Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board
2. Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust
3. Ngāti Tūwharetoa Fisheries Charitable Trust

Early Childhood Education / Kōhanga Reo Grant

(ECE, Kōhanga Reo)

This grant supports tamariki who are attending a registered Early Childhood Education centre or Kōhanga Reo.

Required documentation:

• Official letter confirming enrolment from the Early Childhood Education centre or Kōhanga Reo; and

• A verified bank deposit slip or bank statement.

Special Needs Education Grant

This grant supports whānau members with disabilities who are attending a registered school or participating in an approved education or training programme.

Required documentation:

• Confirmation of enrolment from the school or training provider;

• A letter from a registered medical practitioner confirming the type of disability; and

• A verified bank deposit slip or bank statement.

Secondary School Education Grant (online only)

(Years 11–13 studying two or more NCEA subjects)

This grant supports students enrolled in NCEA at Year 11, 12, or 13 who are studying a minimum of two (2) NCEA subjects for the academic year.

Required documentation:

• Official letter from the secondary school confirming NCEA enrolment;

• Copy of the previous year’s academic results; and

• A verified bank deposit slip or bank statement.

Tertiary Education Grant (online only)

(University, Wānanga, Polytechnic, Apprenticeship)

This grant supports students enrolled in recognised tertiary study.

Required documentation:

• • Confirmation of enrolment, fees, and course information from the tertiary education provider;

  • Copy of the previous year’s academic results; and

  • A verified bank deposit slip or bank statement.

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS, trade training & Tertiary Education Grants (Online applications only)

All applications for Education Scholarships, Trade Training, and Tertiary Education Grants must be submitted online. Hard copy applications will not be available.

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS – (ONLINE ONLY)

You must be registered with the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board before applying for an education scholarship.

You may apply for a scholarship if you are studying an NZQA-approved course of study at a University, Whare Wānanga, Polytechnic, Technical Institute.

Education scholarships recognise the academic excellence of students enrolled in year 2+ of their tertiary study. Successful applicants will be selected based on academic performance and the calibre of their application.

Each scholarship category supports a Pou (outcome) of our Ngā Ara Matua Strategy (for more information please click here). Successful recipients will be selected based on the alignment of their study with these Pou.

Applicants must provide:

• Confirmation of enrolment, fees, and course information from the tertiary institute.
• Previous year’s academic results for the previous year including overall GPA score (if applicable)
• A verified bank deposit slip or statement.

PROCESS

• Applications are collected until 31 March.
• Successful applicants will be selected based on the alignment of their study to one of our Pou.
• 10 (ten) successful applicants will be selected and approved by management in May.
• Payment will be made on the last Friday in June.

Please note that when applying for an Education Scholarship a Tertiary Education Grant is automatically applied using the information provided in your Education Scholarship application. 

TRADE TRAINING scholarship- (ONLINE ONLY)

You must be registered with the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board or the Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust to apply for this grant.

The Trade Training grant recognises the academic excellence of second-year and higher apprentices and trade training students working and studying in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

There are 20 scholarships available valued at $1,000 each.

The scholarship is available to registered members studying and NZQA approved course at the following training providers:

• University or Whare Wānanga
• Polytechnic or Technical Institute
• Industry Training Organisation
• Private Training Establishment

Applicants must provide:

• A recommendation letter from their employer and/or training provider
• Confirmation of enrolment, fees, and course information
• Previous year’s academic results
• A verified bank deposit slip or statement

PROCESS

• Applications are collected and processed from February until 31 March
• Successful recipients will be selected based on academic and industry performance
• Payments will be made on the last Friday in June.

TŪWHARETOA EDUCATION GRANTs POLICY AND CRITERIa

This policy and criteria apply to the following:

• Early Childhood/Kōhanga Reo
• Secondary NCEA
• Special Needs
• Tertiary
• Trade Training
• Scholarship