The Northland Regional Council has sounded the hog call that draws attention to a trough it has replenished.
According to the eligibility criteria, Māori who rush for a share of the swill have a much better chance of being nourished at the expense of ratepayers than non-Māori.
According to the eligibility criteria, Māori who rush for a share of the swill have a much better chance of being nourished at the expense of ratepayers than non-Māori.
A media release from the council says applications for its Tū i te ora Scholarships have opened, with recipients set to receive financial support and paid work experience at council next summer.
Four scholarships are available. Each includes $5000 to assist with study costs, plus paid full-time work experience with the council from mid-November this year to mid-February 2027.
Council Chair Pita Tipene talks nobly about the objective:
“Being able to empower our future environmental leaders by providing some financial relief and offering summer paid work experience is a good thing in the current climate.”
“These scholarships celebrate the council vision of ‘Tiakina te taiao, tuia te here tangata – Nurture the environment, bring together the people’.”
And now we get a whiff of which applicants will be favoured:
“This is an incredible opportunity for students who whakapapa to Taitokerau.”
Tipene says this year the scholarships provide an opportunity for work placement within Climate Action, Biodiversity & Science, Rivers and Natural Hazards & Civil Defence “and Te Tiriti Partnerships & Engagement.”
Since beginning in 2019, the scholarships recognise, encourage and support students to undertake study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions.
Then comes a stronger whiff of the way the eligibility deck has been stacked:
The scholarships have a specific aim to build Māori capacity within Taitokerau, with two of the four scholarships earmarked for Māori who whakapapa to Taitokerau. Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who live in Northland (or have family that does) or whakapapa to Taitokerau (according to NRC’s operational boundaries).
They must also be enrolled (or have an intention to enrol) in a recognised tertiary course of study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions and be studying at an undergraduate or higher qualification level. Applicants must be enrolled (or intend to enrol) for semester two of 2026.
The council website says the scholarship aims to:
Four scholarships are available. Each includes $5000 to assist with study costs, plus paid full-time work experience with the council from mid-November this year to mid-February 2027.
Council Chair Pita Tipene talks nobly about the objective:
“Being able to empower our future environmental leaders by providing some financial relief and offering summer paid work experience is a good thing in the current climate.”
“These scholarships celebrate the council vision of ‘Tiakina te taiao, tuia te here tangata – Nurture the environment, bring together the people’.”
And now we get a whiff of which applicants will be favoured:
“This is an incredible opportunity for students who whakapapa to Taitokerau.”
Tipene says this year the scholarships provide an opportunity for work placement within Climate Action, Biodiversity & Science, Rivers and Natural Hazards & Civil Defence “and Te Tiriti Partnerships & Engagement.”
Since beginning in 2019, the scholarships recognise, encourage and support students to undertake study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions.
Then comes a stronger whiff of the way the eligibility deck has been stacked:
The scholarships have a specific aim to build Māori capacity within Taitokerau, with two of the four scholarships earmarked for Māori who whakapapa to Taitokerau. Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who live in Northland (or have family that does) or whakapapa to Taitokerau (according to NRC’s operational boundaries).
They must also be enrolled (or have an intention to enrol) in a recognised tertiary course of study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions and be studying at an undergraduate or higher qualification level. Applicants must be enrolled (or intend to enrol) for semester two of 2026.
The council website says the scholarship aims to:
- Build Māori capacity within Taitokerau and assist students to pursue further education
- Encourage greater uptake of tertiary education aimed at protecting the environment
- Develop connections between tertiary students and council
- Provide support to students experiencing financial hardship and difficulties
- Encourage mātauranga Māori research and education.
But the 2023 Census indicates that 72,612 people, about 36% of the Northland region’s population, identify with the Māori ethnic group,
Full eligibility criteria and an application form for the scholarships are available from: http://www.nrc.govt.nz/scholarship
Applications close on Monday 11 May 2026.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE. - where this article was sourced.
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