Scholarship makes dream possible
‘‘I knew it was an area that I could make a significant difference in.’’
Former Taupo-nui-a-Tia College student Oriori Rewiri has her heart set on career in Maori healthcare, and a scholarship programme at the University of Otago is helping her get there.
The university’s Tu Kahika scholarship programme supports Maori students through a foundation year in Dunedin.
This prepares them to study the University’s health sciences first year course (HSFY) while guaranteeing accommodation in a residential college and providing financial assistance for their tuition fees and accommodation costs.
HSFY is a prerequisite for those going on to study dentistry, medical laboratory science, medicine, pharmacy, or physiotherapy at Otago.
Rewiri, who has affiliations with Ngapuhi and Te Whanaua-Apanui iwi, studied science subjects at college.
Her interest in how the human body functions broadened to an interest in health.
‘‘I noticed the many issues surrounding me in regards to the health of family and friends, and a number of personal experiences reinforced my desire to pursue a career in health. I knew it was an area that I could make a significant difference in,’’ she said
However, Rewiri’s NCEA grades were not high enough to enter the competitive HSFY programme.
‘‘I knew that I was not prepared for the HSFY – not only academically but also as an individual,’’ she said.
‘‘I needed extra time and support. I began to look for other alternatives and eventually came across TK. It was exactly what I needed.’’
Rewiri hopes to study medicine after completing HSFY.
Programme manager Zoe Bristowe said Ta Kahika has supported more than 100 Maori students to achieve their goals since it began in 2010.
‘‘Tu Kahika is more than a scholarship – it’s like a whanau. TK students are now represented across a range of health professional degree programmes and increasingly in the health workforce. It’s a great preparation programme for young Maori interested in careers in health.’’
* For more information about the Tu Kahika scholarship, visit otago.ac.nz/mhwdu/ tukahika