2025 Te Herenga Waka and Fale Malae Pasifika Scholarship

Study area(s): Architecture; Business and government; Design; Education; Engineering; Health; Humanities and Social Sciences; Law; Music; Technology; Science
Scholarship level: Returning students
Closing date(s): 28 February 2025
Tenure: Up to two years subject to satisfactory academic progress
Award for: Pasifika; Facing financial hardship
Number offered: 6

History and purpose

The 2025 Te Herenga Waka and Fale Malae Pasifika Scholarship originates from a collaboration between the Fale Malae Trust, Grant Thornton, and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington for a co-funded opportunity to increase the number of Pasifika students advancing from an undergraduate degree through to postgraduate studies.

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support to Pasifika students in their final year of undergraduate studies who intend to enrol in a postgraduate programme in the following year.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be:

  • of Pacific descent
  • enrolled by 23 February 2025 in their final year of undergraduate studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
  • Intending to enrol in a postgraduate programme in the following year at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
  • Holding a GPA of 6.5 or above
  • Experiencing some form of disadvantage or financial hardship.

Selection criteria

Selection will be based on academic merit, demonstration of disadvantage or financial hardship, and commitment to continuing to postgraduate study.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will be open on 29 November 2024. Contact us if you have any queries.

Apply online

Scholarship specific documentation

  • A personal statement outlining your academic journey so far, why you deserve the scholarship, your intent to study in a postgraduate programme including identification of your study programme, motivations and plans to succeed.
  • Completed financial section of the online application.

Selection process

Successful candidates will be chosen by a committee comprised of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pasifika (or their representative), the Manager Scholarships, the Equity Scholarships Programme Manager, and a member of the Fale Malae Trust.

Additional information

For an applicant completing the end of second year study (or third year of a four-year undergraduate degree):

The scholarship comprises a $5,000 tuition fees contribution paid during Trimester 1 of 2025 (the students' final year of undergraduate study). The scholarship holder must have satisfied degree graduation requirements by the end of 2025 and gained a GPA of 6.5 or above. They will then meet with delegates from the committee to discuss postgraduate opportunities and commitment to enrol for the following year.

A $10,000 tuition fees contribution will then be paid during Trimester 1 of 2026 (the students' first year of postgraduate study) depending on the scholarship holder enrolling full-time in a postgraduate programme in 2026.

Recipients must act as ambassadors for the University and the Fale Malae Trust, which may include some promotional activity.

Recipients will be asked to write a letter of appreciate to the donors - extracts from which may be used for promotional purposes.

Part-time study may be approved at the discretion of the selection panel.

Regulations and conditions

  1. Applications close 4.30 pm 28 February 2025.
  2. The grant covers up to $15,000 tuition fees over two years ($5,000 in their final year of undergraduate study and $10,000 in their first year of postgraduate study)
  3. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  4. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  5. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
  6. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
  7. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and the Fale Malae Trust and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  8. 8.If part time study for the recipient is approved, their scholarship award may be pro-rated. This decision will be made by the selection panel.
  9. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04