We’re very proud and excited to be able to announce the successful applicants for our fourth consecutive Hiwa-i-te-rangi workforce development scholarship, an initiative empowering Māori who are on a pathway to making a difference for health outcomes. Get to know the inspirational individuals who stood out from the crowd in 2025, and learn a little about how each one is hoping to change Aotearoa New Zealand’s healthcare landscape for the better.
Mekayla Peneha
Ki tōku taha whare tangata, he uri tēnei nō Ngāti Maniapoto, nō Ngati Apakura. He hononga hoki ki a Ngāti Kahu. Ki tōku taha ure tāwera, nō Te Taitokerau. Ko Ngāpuhi, ko Te Rarawa, ko Ngātiwai ngā iwi nā, he toronga hoki ki rō o Ngāti Ruanui, ki Taranaki. Ko Mekayla Peneha tōku ingoa. I am a wahine Māori, a wife, a māmā and I am passionate about Māori healthcare and closing the health equity gaps. I have a Bachelor of Health majoring in Population Health and I am currently studying towards a Master of Health Science, at the University of Waikato.
What this scholarship means to me
This scholarship means a lot to me. As a wife, māmā, and wahine Māori, it is more than financial help. This scholarship helps me to continue my studies, it reminds me that our people (Māori people) are important and their hauora is most definitely worth pursuing.
Plans after graduation
I have a strong passion for the research space and hope to continue on to PhD studies. In the long term, I see myself stepping into roles where I can influence policy and decision-making, ensuring that kaupapa Māori approaches are embedded into the health system as an everyday practice, rather than treated as an add-on.
Why making a difference to health equity outcomes is important to me
I grew up rurally in the Far North and have seen first-hand how access and equity can differ for Māori communities. Health equity is about more than just “fairness”, it is about restoring mana motuhake, tino rangatiratanga, and building a system where Māori knowledge and ways of caring are valued. Making a difference in this space is important to me because I want my son, and future generations, to grow up in a country where being Māori is a strength that is reflected and celebrated in healthcare.
My dreams for the future of the health sector
My dream is that Māori whānau can walk into any health space and feel dignity, respect, and genuine cultural safety. I want to see more Māori voices in leadership, shaping what health services look like and ensuring they reflect our people and our values. For me, it’s about creating pathways so that our tamariki and mokopuna grow up in an Aotearoa where equity is the norm, not something we’re still fighting for. In the spirit of Hiwa — vigorous growth — I see this as part of a journey towards a season where Māori health is thriving, and where our dreams for a better system are realised.
Jarna Flintoff
“I feel incredibly privileged to receive this support, and I see it not only as recognition of my own efforts, but also as a testament to the investment my whānau and community have made in me.”
What this scholarship means to me
Receiving the Hiwa-i-te-Rangi Māori Health Leadership Scholarship is an incredible privilege. For me, it represents not only recognition of the hard work I’ve put into my communities through my mahi and my studies, but also the investment and support of my whānau, hāpori, and wider community who have walked alongside me. This scholarship strengthens my ability to give back more, to continue that cycle of reciprocity, and to honour the trust and encouragement I’ve been shown.
Dreams for my future in the health sector
My dream is to enable grassroots initiatives and whānau-led solutions to thrive. I believe the most sustainable and impactful change comes from communities themselves. Our whānau carry the knowledge, strength and vision to address their own health and wellbeing needs. But, too often current policies and systems restrict this potential. I want to be part of reshaping those systems and removing those barriers, ensuring that community-driven solutions are supported, resourced, and valued. By doing so, I hope to contribute to a future where Māori health equity is not only possible, but normal.
Why making a difference to health equity outcomes is important to me
Making a difference to health equity outcomes is deeply personal to me. Through my mahi at Te Oranganui, I have witnessed first-hand the barriers our whānau face when trying to access services and support. These challenges are not just professional observations – I have seen them in my own whānau as well. This drives my commitment to be part of the change. For me, health equity is about more than fairness; it is about restoring mana, creating spaces where Māori are heard and valued, and ensuring that our future mokopuna do not face the same challenges.
Lauryn Maxwell
“By sharing my journey and continuing to grow in my own mahi, I hope to empower rangatahi to see themselves as the next generation of leaders who will carry this kaupapa forward.”
What this scholarship means to me
This scholarship represents an acknowledgement of the mahi I have dedicated myself to, and it fills me with pride to see that commitment reflected in this award. It is uplifting to know that the path I am on is being supported, and it motivates me to carry on this important mahi with renewed energy and purpose.
Plans after graduation and what I am hoping to achieve
After graduation, I will be undertaking a six-week public health internship in Tokyo, Japan with an NGO, which will allow me to gain valuable international experience and broaden my perspective on health and wellbeing. Following this, I will begin my graduate role with Auckland Council, where I look forward to contributing to projects that strengthen and uplift our communities. At the same time, I plan to continue my journey of learning te reo Māori, deepening my cultural grounding and connection to Te Ao Māori. My hope is to grow both personally and professionally through these opportunities, while helping to create positive change for our people.
Why making a difference to health equity outcomes is important to me
For me, making a difference to health equity outcomes is about paving the way for future generations. Tackling inequities now means creating a future where Māori health and wellbeing are protected, uplifted, and celebrated, so our tamariki and mokopuna can thrive.
Dreams for my future in the health sector
My dream for the future in the health sector is to step into leadership roles where I can use my experiences to educate and inspire rangatahi. I want to show our young people that their voices and aspirations matter, and that they too can create change in spaces that affect our health and wellbeing. By sharing my journey and continuing to grow in my own mahi, I hope to empower rangatahi to see themselves as the next generation of leaders who will carry this kaupapa forward.
Karangatai Piripi
Ko Karangatai Kuikui Piripi tōku ingoa. He uri nō Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa me Ngāti Wai.
I chose to study nursing because I see the very urgent need for the reindigenisation of hauora Māori. My journey thus far in nursing and as a worker in mental health has shown me that our health system is heavily based on a Western biomedical model, one that often excludes Te Ao Māori values, tikanga, and Māori innovation in our approaches to how we attain wellbeing.
This system continues to overlook key elements of hauora Māori such as whānau, whenua, wairua, whanaungatanga and connection, contributing to the ongoing inequities faced by tangata Māori. True equity means creating environments grounded in Te Ao Māori, where Māori models of health, kaupapa Māori, tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and modern medicine work together as pathways to healing and hauora.
Growing and being a part of a Māori health workforce is a key aspect of delving equitable care for tangata Māori as we recognise that Te Ao Māori is the birthplace of wellbeing for tangata whenua. Lastly, My most valuable experiences come from my upbringing in kōhanga and kura, which continue to shape how I see and value hauora today.
Christine (Poihaere) Whare
Kia Tau te rangimarie
O te rangi e tuu iho nei
O Papatuanuku e takato nei
O te Taiao e awhi nei
Ki runga i a taatou
Tihei Mauri Ora!
Kake whakarunga au ki te tihi ō tōku maunga tapu ō Taupiri. Ka titiro whakararo au ki tōku awa koiora ō Waikato e rere kaha nei i te mata ō te whenua, waihoki tōku waka ō Tainui i kawea mai i ōku tupuna mai i Hawaiki. E marakerake ana te kite i tōku marae kaha whakakii puku ō Hukanui e whakarauika ana i tōku hapu ō Ngati Wairere, ka mutu tōku iwi ō Waikato, Tainui.
Ko Poihaere Whare ahau
“I am currently a confident second-year student at the University of Waikato, actively engaged in my nursing journey. Serving as a class representative has opened doors to a national role, allowing me to experience significant personal and academic growth. These leadership positions have shaped my identity and equipped me with essential skills for my future career.”
What this scholarship means to me
This scholarship provides my whānau and me with much-needed financial relief. Balancing my part-time job with my studies as a nursing student has significantly impacted my finances. This experience has brought both challenges and valuable life lessons that contribute to my academic and personal growth.
Managing work alongside school has highlighted the difficulties of handling limited financial resources while allowing me to support both myself and my children.My limited income often leads to anxiety over unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or school supplies. This scholarship has alleviated some of the financial pressures I face on my current nursing journey.
My plans after graduation, and what I am hoping to achieve
I envision embarking on a lifelong journey in education, starting with my goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. This role excites me because it allows for a deeper connection with patients, where I can provide comprehensive care and truly make a difference in their lives. In addition to my passion for clinical practice, I also see myself stepping into the role of an educator. I want to share my experiences, insights, and knowledge with aspiring nurses. By teaching nursing, I hope to inspire and empower future healthcare professionals, fostering their growth and confidence as they prepare to enter the field. This path is fulfilling as it combines my love for nursing with a commitment to shaping the future of healthcare.
Why making a difference to health equity outcomes is important to me
Māori communities face low social determinants of health, and I am dedicated to advocating for improved health literacy. I act as a translator for my whānau in health settings and encourage them to ask questions for better understanding, helping them make informed wellness decisions. As the first in my whānau to pursue higher education, I aspire to be a role model.
I would like to finish with a whakatauki:
Mā te rongo, ka mōhio,
Mā te mōhio, ka mārama,
Mā te mārama, ka mātau,
Mā te mātau, ka ora.
From listening comes knowledge,
From knowledge comes understanding,
From understanding comes wisdom,
From wisdom comes well-being.
