Māori Health Scholarships - Te tuku pūtea tautoko ki te takitahi

Are you a tauira starting out in your hauora mahi? There may be a scholarship or grant for you. Look out for updates on this page. 

Support an inclusive workforce and encourage Māori into health and disability careers. The grants are designed to empower eligible students of Māori descent by providing financial support for their education in health and disability services.

The Te Pitomata grant categories for 2024 encompass several key areas within the healthcare sector in New Zealand. Grants are awarded across the following categories:

Clinical (Undergraduate)

• Midwifery
• Nursing
• Medical (including dentistry)
• Allied Health, Scientific & Technical, including but not limited to:
  • Social Work
  • Pharmacy
  • Oral Health Therapy
  • Anaesthetic Tech
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Counselling
  • Psychology

Rongoā

Postgraduate (Clinical and Non-Clinical)

For information about eligibility criteria and the application process, read our helpful guidelines.

• Guidelines for Te Pitomata grants

Still have questions about Te Pitomata grants? Read our frequently asked questions.

• Frequently asked questions about Te Pitomata grants 

For all other queries, email: tepitomatagrants@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

• Apply for a Te Pitomata grant

Applications were open between Tuesday 4 June and Sunday 16 June and are currently being assessed.

Support for Massey University students studying towards a health qualification and intending to work in mental health.

Administered by Massey University and funded by Te Aka Whai Ora.

Support for innovative community-led initiatives to encourage people to quit smoking. 

Administered by Te Aka Whai Ora and Te Whatu Ora.

We're boosting efforts to attract, develop and retain Māori kaimahi who are committed to contributing to better health outcomes for all.  

It is important for whānau Māori to see themselves represented in our health system.   

Workplace environments must be safe for tāngata whaikaha. We champion equal employment opportunities and promote policies, practices and processes that are fair and equitable for job applicants and employees.  

Te Aka Whai Ora invests in training initiatives for kaimahi to advance their health careers while incorporating te ao Māori and mātauranga into their practices.  

These include:  

• Ngā Manukura clinical leadership training, enabling nurses and midwives to develop and move into leadership positions. 
• Tuakana-teina initiatives delivering coaching and supervisory opportunities, formal and academic support, clinical supervision, and mentorship, via several hauora Māori providers. 
• Mātauranga Māori training for the workforce, delivered as an online professional development programme through Te Kurahuna Limited. 

We fund programmes designed to uplift and support rangatahi to choose health as a career, or for tauira already studying healthcare to eventually join the health workforce.  

Current initiatives include:  

• Development of a bespoke Health Career Pathway for rangatahi to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and mātauranga. This is being delivered via Pūhoro Charitable Trust.   
• Strengthening engagement with rangatahi in secondary schools and promoting health as a study option and career, through the Whakapiki Ake project at the University of Auckland. 
• Tailored programmes that support current and future students to succeed in health sciences study at the University of Otago.