Ākonga Māori honoured with Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial scholarships and awards

14 ākonga Māori received Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial scholarships and awards at a ceremony held on 26 March. The event celebrated the recipients' success in education and the goals they are working towards.

The scholarships and awards honour Victoria Cross Recipient Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu and members of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who fought in World War II.

The ceremony opened with a pōwhiri led by Te Ātiawa, and welcomed recipients, whānau, invited guests and members of the Ngarimu Board to Parliament.

Master's scholarship recipient Xavia Tuera Connolly described walking into the awards ceremony as a "wow moment".

"I'm very humbled to be here," said Xavia. "I'm so grateful for this opportunity and the support that this scholarship will provide me and my 2 boys."

Military and cultural traditions throughout the ceremony honoured the 28th (Māori) Battalion, such as the formal march-in of the 2nd/1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment flag. The flag was carried in and displayed during the ceremony, representing service, sacrifice and leadership being passed down through generations.

Colonel Kaio, the first national Māori soldier representative on the Ngarimu Board, spoke about the importance of keeping these traditions alive and supporting young Māori to become leaders through education.

2025/2026 recipients#

Congratulations to the 2025/2026 Ngarimu scholarship and competition recipients.

• Hineata Durie-Soutar (Ngāti Porou, Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whakatere, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Awa,Te Whakatōhea, Rongowhakaata)
• Mahaki Chambers (Ngāti Porou)
• Skyla Storm Ngawaki Te Moana (Te Whānau a Apanui)
• Florence Kararaina Grace (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Te Whānau a Apanui)
• Temaea Teaeki (Ngāiterangi, Kiribati)
• Isla Mariana Fellows (Ngāti Mutunga ki Taranaki, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri)
• Hinerangi Nicholas (Tūhoe, Ngāiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Kuki Airani)
• Xavia Tuera Connolly (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, Ngāruahine, Mōkai Pātea, Ngāti Whakaue, Whakatōhea, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Whātua)
• Tiffany Radich (Ngāti Awa)
• Arna Whaanga (Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa)
• Uenukuterangihoka Tairua Jefferies (Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Maniapoto)
• Tūī Mārama Keenan (Ngāti Porou)
• Tiffany Daphne Shirtliff (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou)
• Janine Aroha Tito (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Mahuta)

Watch the ceremony#

Watch the 2025 Ngarimu Awards Ceremony:

Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships 2026 - Vimeo

What's next#

Applications for the next round of Ngarimu scholarships and competitions will open on 8 June 2026.

Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial scholarships

Ngarimu video and waiata composition competitions