Rua Bioscience Celebrates 2023 Scholars Driving Positive Change in Te Tairāwhiti
In a resounding commitment to development and educational empowerment in Te Tairawhiti, Rua Bioscience proudly unveils the distinguished recipients of the 2023 'He Ara Atawhai – He kakano Undergraduate Scholarships'. The scholarships, integral to the Rua Bioscience Impact Programme, stand as a beacon for individuals dedicated to transformative change within their communities.
The heart of this initiative lies in the encouragement of rangatahi to pursue higher education, with a specific emphasis on fostering careers in health sciences. Recognising the pivotal role that highly skilled and engaged rangatahi play in the establishment of a sustainable local economy in Te Tairawhiti, Rua Bioscience is steadfast in delivering on its commitments to positive social and economic impact on the East Coast.
This year saw an expansion of the impact programme as it opened its doors to organisations eager to bolster the cause. Tairawhiti Contractors, Lowndes Jordan, and Livingston Creative joined forces alongside long-time supporters of the programme Trust Tairawhiti, injecting support into the 2023 scholarship fund and amplifying the reach of this transformative initiative.
Today marked a momentous occasion as Rua Bioscience awarded scholarships, collectively valued at over $17,000, to 13 exceptional students. These scholarships serve as more than financial assistance; they represent a significant investment in the pursuit of education and training, paving the way for a future generation of leaders.
The recipients' educational pathways span an array of fields, including Horticultural Science, Law, Business, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Infrastructure, Criminology, Digital Creativity, and Toi Maori. Each chosen path reflects the diverse opportunities available to these scholars as they embark on their educational journeys.
Rua Bioscience's commitment to nurturing the potential of Te Tairawhiti's youth is not only evident in the scholarships awarded but also in the collaborative spirit that brought organisations together to support these young scholars. As the recipients embark on their educational pursuits, Rua Bioscience remains dedicated to cultivating positive social and economic change in the region, one scholar at a time.
Recipients of the 2023 scholarships are:
- Tomairangi Haua-Huhu (Tolaga Bay Area School)
- Reagan Habib-Mitchell (Tolaga Bay Area School)
- Orlando Bonica (Ngata Memorial College)
- Stevie Rangiuaia (Ngata Memorial College)
- Lucky Goel (Gisborne Boys High School)
- Sam Flynn Koll-Haertel (Gisborne Boys High School)
- Silke McNaught (Gisborne Girls High School)
- Issy Allen (Gisborne Girls High School)
- Wayan Parfitt (Lytton High School)
- Danielle van Aswegen (Campion College)
- Eve Hampson (Campion College)
- Te Ariki Beach (TKKM o Te Waiu o Ngati Porou)
- Raiha Brooking (TKKM o Kawakawa mai Tawhiti)
Since inception the programme has supported 39 students with scholarships to the value of over $65,000 including this year’s awards, CEO Paul Naske says “We are extremely proud of the students, for their achievements this year and for heading into tertiary education and training, our hope is that this investment will enable the students to acquire valuable skills, with the ultimate goal of bringing those skills back to benefit Te Tairawhiti.”.
If you wish to sponsor the scholarship programme, please contact;
