More scholarships at Lincoln to attract M¯aori and Pasifika

Lincoln University is continuing its drive to increase Ma¯ori and Pasifika representation in tertiary study, by introducing a suite of scholarships in 2019.

The $5000 scholarships are intended to assist those passionate about agriculture, science, tourism, Ma¯tauraka Ma¯ori including Mahinga kai, and to support students pathwaying up from other tertiary providers.

Lincoln introduced Ma¯ ori and Pasifika Accommodation Scholarships at the start of 2018, while Sir Turi Carroll Scholarships for Ma¯ori student leaders were initiated in 2013.

Lincoln University director Ma¯ori and Pasifika, Dr Dione Payne, said the intent of the scholarships is to support and encourage Ma¯ori and Pasifika students to achieve their aspirations for their whenua, wha¯nau, hapu¯ and iwi.

They are part of an overall strategy to increase the number of Ma¯ ori and Pasifika students at Lincoln University, which includes pastoral and cultural support to create a home-like atmosphere on campus for those away from wha¯nau.

“The scholarships are a key component of Lincoln University’s Whenua Strategy (for Ma¯ori) and Motu Strategy (for Pasifika),” she said.

— for Ma¯ori tertiary students pathwaying up from other educational providers’

— for Ma¯ori students who demonstrate excellence in subjects focused on Te Ao Ma¯ ori;

— for Ma¯ori students who enrol in an agricultural focused qualification;

— Ma¯ori students who demonstrate an interest and excellence in science related subjects;

— for Ma¯ori students that demonstrate an interest and excellence in tourism related subjects;

— for domestic Pasifika students from any high school that demonstrate excellence in any subject that relates to Lincoln University subject areas.

For more information about the scholarships go to www.lincoln.ac.nz/Study/ Qualifications/Qualification/ scholarships/

Hamilton High Court has confirmed the fine imposed on a Glen Murray farmer for allowing his stock to graze in a stock exclusion area in, and on the shores of, Lake Whangape in north Waikato.

The fine of $19,800 was confirmed by Justice Jagose following an appeal made by the farmer, Oliver Cother Saxton, after his conviction and fine by the district court in September this year.

In his appeal, Saxton said he had made a voluntary payment of $20,000 to the Department of Conservation (DOC) to carry out mitigation planting, and he felt the district court had not adequately taken account of that when imposing the fine on him.

In his ruling, Justice Jagose noted that “considering Saxton’s offending involved a deliberate breach of restrictions imposed by the RMA, undertaken for personal gain and with disregard for the preservation of the reserve, the sentencing objectives of accountability, deterrence and denunciation clearly are engaged”.

Saxton was also issued with an enforcement order by the district court not to undertake any activities within the reserve without written permission and supervision from DOC, as it was their reserve.

In August 2017, Waikato Regional Council was alerted to stock in the reserve.

It was established that the stock belonged to Saxton, whose land adjoined the reserve.

There was a history of him grazing his stock in this area, despite it being fenced off from his property.

The council and DOC had advised the stock owner several times since 2010 that this practice must stop.

The fine and order is the result of the council carrying out a prosecution under the Resource Management Act.

The council noted there were immediate environmental effects from the grazing, including damage to indigenous fauna, soil compaction and increased sediment caused by stock trampling in a protected significant natural area.