Targeted scholarships are also available for people interested in becoming qualified to work with whānau and families who have addiction issues -  such as alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine or “P”.

These are called Topatopahia te Rere o te Waka, Hoe Tahi Addiction Workforce Scholarships and Work-based Placement programmes. There were 99 allocated this year.  The Hoe Tahi scholarships are offered in association with Matua Raki (the National Addiction Workforce Development Centre) and are open to Māori and non-Māori.

Again, undergraduate scholarships are worth up to $5,000 per year. Post-graduate scholarships are worth up to $10,000 per year.

For those interested in qualifying to work with whānau experiencing gambling issues, there are Topatopahia te Rere o te Waka, Hoe Whā scholarships. There were thirteen under-graduate (up to $5,000), post-graduate/Masters (up to $12,000) and PhD (up to $20,000) Hoe Wha scholarships awarded this year. Closing date for applications is 20 January 2012.

For inquiries and application forms, visit www.matatini.co.nz, or call Keri Newman, 0800 MATATINI (628284) or 04-4739591 ext 815. E-mail scholarships@matatini.co.nz.

ENDS

Background: Te Rau Matatini is an independent not-for-profit limited liability company based in Wellington. It is one of four health workforce development centres established by the Ministry of Health, but is the only one focussed on the Māori health workforce. Te Rau Matatini employs just over 45 FTEs. Its initial focus was mental health, but it has recently broadened its scope to include the wider health sector.

Contact: Communications Officer Hēni Collins, 04 4739591 ex 845 or 027 335 1535.