The Conference is held by Te Whakatupu Pūtea Trust and Chair Richard Jefferies said presentations may have challenged traditional perceptions of how we could work in the future, but believed it was important to examine all of the many opportunities open to Māori industry.

“Indigenous communities have experiences in common no matter where they are in the world. There is potential for this shared understanding to develop into working together internationally to drive economic development based on our shared common values.”

Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust was established in 2004 under the Māori Fisheries Act with a $20 million fund to support education, training and workforce development.

Te Whakatupu Pūtea Trust scholarships were provided in Business or Management, Fisheries or Aquaculture, or Agriculture and are worth $10,000.  When graduated these future potential leaders will have the opportunity to be a valuable contribution to the Maori economy

Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, Minister for Maori Development, congratulated the 45 Te Whakatupu Pūtea Trust scholarship recipients for their commitment to furthering their education in their chosen subjects. 

“A scholarship allowed the son of a single mother, the opportunity to attend St Stephen’s in Bombay.  It gave him the chance to gain a good education, to develop leadership skills as Head Prefect and Captain of the First XV.  It was the bedrock for his lifelong interest in politics at school; as a radio announcer filing daily reports on the occupation of Moutoa; as an MP with the Māori Party; and today as Minister for Māori Development. So I know how important a scholarship can be to one’s life and career path.”

Since 2011, the Trust and partners have awarded to Māori nearly 200 business/management, fisheries and aquaculture, and agriculture scholarships. During the conference, Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust announced scholarship partnerships with Waikato and Victoria universities, and new internship programmes with the Treasury and ASB.

Toni Orviss (Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Hau) is in her second year at Victoria University doing a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in management and human resources. 

“I only realised I wanted to make a difference in training and development in the meat industry after leaving home," she says. "A lot of my whānau work in the meat industry. Dad is a manager at Silverfern Farms.  I want to make sure that they are being looked after."

"Te Whakatupu Pūtea Trust has shown me that they are supporting me and my choices.  The scholarship has meant that I can focus on the future, to consider honours and maybe a masters.”  

Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust has also named Tā Mason Durie as its Te Ahorangi/Emeritus Fellow for 2015 for his outstanding leadership in the academic, health and research sector. The fellowship acknowledges outstanding Māori leadership and contribution to Māori.

 

Photo caption: Minister for Māori Development, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell with Te Whakatupu Pūtea Scholarship 2015 recipients, Hamilton NZ.