Seven tauira Māori have been awarded the inaugural He Raranga Muka scholarships, each valued at $10,000, as part of a program aimed at fostering Māori capability and community within the data science domain.
These scholarships represent one of seven initiatives developed by Te Kāhui Raraunga through Te Mana Whakatipu, a program dedicated to enhancing iwi Māori data capability across New Zealand. The successful recipients were honored at a ceremony in Pōneke.
The primary objective of these scholarships is to address educational and workforce disparities by providing opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in data-related fields, which they can then leverage to support their iwi (tribe).
Kirikowhai Mikaere, Data ILG lead technician, emphasized that these scholarships aim to remove barriers for future iwi Māori data scientists and contribute to building iwi Māori data capability. The eligibility criteria ensure that the benefits of the scholarship are returned to the iwi.
Applicants must have completed at least one year of study in a data science or related program, be endorsed by their iwi, and articulate how they will utilize their knowledge to benefit their iwi or hapū (sub-tribe).
Mairangi Campbell, one of the scholarship recipients, shared his motivation for pursuing a career in data science, emphasizing the empowering nature of solid data in achieving better outcomes, especially in areas where Māori representation is lacking.
He Raranga Muka, which symbolically uses muka (flax fiber) to represent the thread connecting recipients to their past, present, and future, as well as to their iwi, hapū, and whānau (extended family), aims to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community building among aspiring iwi Māori data scientists.
Matthew Hock, another recipient, highlighted the significance of the scholarship in relieving financial pressure and facilitating collaboration among peers. He emphasized the potential of data visualization in informing decision-making, resource management, and sustainability initiatives across iwi interests.
Through He Raranga Muka, these scholarship recipients are not only empowered to pursue careers in data science but also equipped to contribute meaningfully to their communities and advance Māori representation in the data space.
