Ahunuku Māori Summer Research Scholarship

Study area(s): Science
Scholarship level: Master's by coursework; Honours; Returning students
Closing date(s): 6 September 2024
Award for: Māori
Value: $8,000

Description

The Ahunuku Māori Summer Research Scholarship 2024-2025 is available through GNS Science and the office of DVC (Māori), through the Taihonoa programme.

Selected scholars are expected to contribute a minimum of 400 hours to the project between November 2024 and February 2025. All projects must be completed by the start of Trimester 1, 2025.

Each scholarship will have a value of $8,000, paid in four equal instalments (co-funded by GNS and Taihonoa).

Eligibility and conditions

  • Applicants must be Māori, or of Māori descent.
  • Applicants will be selected on the basis of academic merit, expertise in the research area, and recommendations from GNS staff associated with the project.
  • Applicants must have completed at least two years of their undergraduate degree and are currently enrolled at any Australian or New Zealand University in an undergraduate, Honours, or first year of a Masters' degree.
  • Selected applicants must comply with the standard Summer Research Scholarship conditions.
  • Students apply through the Summer Research Scholarship application.

Students enrolled in a PhD or Masters by Thesis programs are not eligible.

Application process

Applications for Ahunuku Māori Summer Scholarships open on 26 August 2024 and close 4.30pm, 6 September 2024 (New Zealand time zone).

To apply for any of the following projects, an 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 must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

When applying, please note the corresponding scholarship code for each project.

Deciphering ways to detect whenua (landscape) change over time
  • Project Code: 300
  • VUW Supervisor: Meegan Hall
  • GNS Supervisor: Mereana Wilson-Rooy

Aotearoa New Zealand is one of the most dynamic landmasses worldwide. It is constantly changing due to the earth systems processes that shape the landforms on the surface. Landscape Evolution Modelling (LEM) can be used as a tool to understand how landscapes change over time with wide-reaching implications for natural hazards, climate change, groundwater, and carbon and coastal process research. However, for models to be beneficial they must reasonably replicate the processes which shape our landscape. To ensure this, models should be evaluated against what is observed across different landscapes. This project reports through to Katie Jones, Scientist in the Geology Team based in Avalon, Lower Hutt. The project aims to generate a set of observations which can be used to better understand the landscape being modelled.

Understanding drivers of environmental change in north Taranaki estuaries
  • Project Code: 301
  • VUW Supervisor: Meegan Hall
  • GNS Supervisor: Mereana Wilson-Rooy
This Ahunuku project is part of a body of work co-designed with Ngāti Mutunga and Taranaki Regional Council.  The outcomes and deliverables of this project will significantly contribute to the understanding of potential human-induced and/or climate change impacts on the rates of sedimentation and environmental change within tidally influenced river mouth “estuaries”, northern Taranaki. The student will likely:
1. Contribute to acquisition of grainsize data from pre-collected sediment cores and assist with data analysis.
2. Work with project team to integrate grainsize and other datasets collected from the cores, such as hyperspectral scans, pollen analysis, C14 age dating, micro/macro fossil analysis, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) sample preparation and data acquisition. There is also potential for the student to collect some non-grainsize data of their interest.

3. Contribute to the collation and presentation of results to iwi partners and other stakeholders.

Understanding Treaty Post-Settlement obligations of Manawhenua groups for GNS Science
  • Project Code: 302
  • VUW Supervisor: Meegan Hall
  • GNS Supervisor: Mereana Wilson-Rooy

Aotearoa New Zealand’s indigenous rights & interests for our natural resources is dynamic and reflective of our natural environment. Our social and natural landscapes are constantly changing due to the earth systems processes that shape the landforms on the surface. This project aims to generate a manawhenua GNS engagement database which can be used to better understand the people GNS needs to work with on landscapes, earth & energy sciences. This summer project will be with the Maori engagement team based in Avalon, Lower Hutt. This project aims to produce a user-friendly database to improve access to our engagement documents and processes for research requirements and treaty obligations for consultation for RMA and DoC consent processes.

GEONET - Operation Assistants for the National Geohazards Monitoring Center
  • Project Code: 303
  • VUW Supervisor: Meegan Hall
  • GNS Supervisor: Mereana Wilson-Rooy

GEONET is Aotearoa's 'go-to' website and app for all of New Zealand's natural hazard information and updates. This summer project aims to train you to become a GEONET Operational Assistant within the GNS Science's National Geohazard Operations Centre, based in Avalon, Lower Hutt. The project will focus on three distinct milestones: Operational Assistant Role BAU and during Response, multi-agencies collaboration during emergency and working on NGMC retrospective project. Throughout the project, emphasis will be placed on soft and personal skills. Effective communication skills, including the ability to engage in different conversations, listen empathetically, and move discussions towards productive outcomes, are crucial for this role. This project aims to find ways to share cultural experiences and to foster cross-cultural communication messages on hazard monitoring and events to improve how to we engage with Māori communities and what messages and tools increase public awareness.  This project aims to provide up to five students with skills in monitoring natural hazards as part of GEONET operations within the National Geohazard Operations Centre.

Contact

Scholarships Office
summer-research@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04