1663 days ago

Four $3000 NRC scholarship winners named

Alison Shrigley Reporter from Whangārei Leader

The Northland Regional Council has named the four winners of its inaugural ‘Tū i teora Scholarship’ programme; Courtney Sanson, Katherine (Katarina) Tautuhi, Huia Webby and Zane Williams.

The council’s Deputy Chair Justin Blaikie says the scholarships aim to support students studying or training in areas that align with council’s focus and mission of ‘working together to create a healthy environment, strong economy and resilient communities’.

They also aim to build Māori capacity within Te Taitokerau and provide opportunities for further education, with two earmarked for Māori who whakapapa (share a genealogical connection) to Te Taitokerau.”

Councillor Blaikie says while the scholarships were an existing initiative and applications had closed before central government introduced its Covid-19 pandemic response, they would hopefully be of even more practical value to recipients given the impact the pandemic was having on tertiary studies.

The application official period for the scholarships ended in mid-February, with 72 applications, three-quarters of which were from Māori who whakapapa to Te Taitokerau.

Over recent weeks – including as the country moved into Level Four lockdown – those applications had been reviewed by a four-strong selection panel* which had met remotely earlier this month (subs: April) to carry out judging.

*(Selection panel members were Te Tai Tokerau Māori and Council (TTMAC) Working Party representative Georgina Connelly (of Te Uri O Hau Settlement Trust) and regional council staff Lorna Douglas (Eastern Coast Land Manager), Cathy Erstich (Community Engagement Manager) and Auriole Ruka (Maori Engagement Manager).

Councillor Blaikie says the panel was unanimous in its selection of the four winners, who represent a diverse range of backgrounds and career study paths.

“The winners have now been informed and regional councillors have been briefed on their success. My fellow councillors and I congratulate them and acknowledge the very important role they – and indeed all those who applied or are engaged in tertiary studies – will have to play in our region’s collective future.”

Winners (alphabetically by surname) are:
Courtney Sanson; from Tautoro, near Kaikohe (Ngapuhi/Te Rarawa).
Has a Bachelor of Science (Earth Sciences) going on to Master of
Environmental Sciences (Waikato University) focusing on water quality

 Katherine (Katarina) Tautuhi; from Kaipara (Te Uri o Hau/Ngati Porou/Te Rarawa). Katarina has a Bachelor of Mātauranga Māori with a focus on environmental issues within Tai Tokerau. Currently studying towards a Masters of Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi with a focus on Māori worldview of Te Ao Tūroa, the environment

 Huia Webby; from Whangarei (2018 Whangarei Girls High graduate).
Studying Bachelor of Science majoring in marine (Wellington University) - entering second year of studies.

 Zane Williams; from Whangarei (2017 Kamo High graduate).
Studying for Bachelor of AgriCommerce (Massey University)

Further information on the winners – and the scholarships themselves – will be available shortly from the council’s website: www.nrc.govt.nz.........

Caption for ‘Huia Webby Copyright: Victoria University of Wellington - 20190900’
A supplied, pre-pandemic lockdown image of one of the four Tū i te ora Scholarship winners Huia Webby. (Photocredit: Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Image Service

Caption for ‘Justin Blaikie (P) - 20191029’
Deputy Chair Justin Blaikie…Northlanders continuing their tertiary studies – despite the current pandemic response – will have an important role to play in future and the inaugural ‘Tū i te ora Scholarship’ winners especially so.

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5 days ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

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Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
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    64.1% Complete
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14 hours ago

Hikoi - North Island

The Team from New Zealand Police

Police have established a Major Operations Centre (MOC) to provide oversight of the Police response to the upcoming hīkoi from Northland to Wellington.

The MOC, based at Police National Headquarters in Wellington, is providing logistical, resource and communication support to all districts along the hīkoi route.
Major Operations Director Superintendent Kelly Ryan says Police have been engaged with hīkoi organisers for many weeks.
“Our discussions with organisers to date have been positive and we expect the hīkoi to be conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner,” she says.
The hīkoi is expected to leave Northland today (Monday 11 November) and travel to Wellington, arriving at Parliament between Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 November.

“We’ve planned for large numbers to join the hīkoi, with disruption likely to some roads, including highways and main streets along the route,” Superintendent Ryan says.
“The MOC will support our frontline, district-based staff with the management of people, vehicles and activities, while also maintaining central oversight.
“We will continue to co-ordinate with iwi leaders and our partners across government to ensure public safety and minimal disruption to people going about their daily routine.
“We’re also well connected with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and local councils to ensure road users have up-to-date information and can plan accordingly.
“The MOC will remain in place while the hīkoi is in Wellington and as participants make their way back home safely.”

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