Ngarimu VC & Maori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Awards

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā hau e wha. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

I want to begin first by acknowledging those who have passed on - particularly members of the 28th Māori Battalion, such as the former Chair of the National 28th Māori Battalion (NZ) Association, the late Mr Jim Takarangi. E te matua moe ra.

A warm welcome to members of the 28 Māori Battalion here today - Mr Bill Pitman [member of the National 28 Māori Battalion (NZ) Association] and Major Hone Waititi [Board member].  Welcome also to the sisters, brother and whānau of Te Moananui a Kiwa Ngarimu.

Welcome parents, grandparents and whānau, and to the school principals of the scholarship recipients. Welcome to distinguished guests of the Board, such as Mr Monty Soutar [author of the Price of Citizenship]  and, most importantly, a very warm welcome to those we are all here for today – our scholarship recipients.

I am honoured to be here this morning as Chair of the Ngarimu VC and 28th Māori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board to acknowledge the six scholarship recipients, their whānau, and their schools for their achievements. 

I am also delighted to be here this morning as Minister of Education.  As Minister of Education, I am strongly committed to raising system performance so Māori enjoy education success as Māori. I want to be clear here that it is the system that needs to lift its performance. Indeed we must all do so.

A concerted, collaborative effort is needed to lift the performance of the system so it works for and with every learner whatever their background, whatever their ethnicity and wherever they are located. We know that more is needed and that it is needed urgently.

The Government’s action plan to raise the education system’s performance for and with Māori is Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success.

Ka Hikitia recognises that language, identity and culture are critical ingredients for education success. The scholarship recipients here today are a testament to this.

The evidence clearly shows Māori learners succeed in schools that have developed strong, positive relationships with whanau and with their communities. So increasing whānau and iwi involvement in education is part of our drive to improve educational achievement. 

We only need look around the room today to see the critical role whānau play in student success – and it is only right that you are recognised along with your children and the schools they attended.

The scholarships being awarded today have a history. They have a story that needs to be remembered at this time – a story that highlights what it takes to be outstanding, to have courage and to gain success.

The Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund, was originally proposed in July 1943 by Sir Apirana Ngata, and I want to acknowledge his key role in instigating the fund. Being an instigator or the first in a field is one way to be a leader.

In 1945 the Ngarimu VC and 28th Māori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by an Act of Parliament. This Fund commemorates the services of Māori soldiers during World War II. It also honours Second Lieutenant Te Moananui a Kiwa Ngarimu, who was awarded the Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross is New Zealand’s top award for courage, self-sacrifice and extreme devotion to duty.  

When Parliamentarians of 1945 talked about the Māori Battalion, they were talking about the leaders, the high achievers among Māori of that generation. 

They hoped that the deeds of the Battalion would inspire and encourage young Māori to aim high.  They knew advancement depended on education. They saw these scholarships as a way to assist exceptional Māori to go on to influence future generations. 

In July 2007 there was a change of focus for the scholarships. There was a desire to capture and reflect the qualities, characteristics and attributes of the soldiers of the 28th Māori Battalion more strongly, and to place more emphasise on the value that this study can contribute to Māori.

The scholarships were broadened to cover a wider range of purposes from academic studies to leadership scholarships for enterprising, innovative and influential people. The criteria require a lot from the applicants.  All recipients have to have high academic performance and achievement, be studying in an area that will benefit Māori and make a difference for their whānau, hapū or iwi and ultimately our nation.

Recipients also have to demonstrate strong knowledge and understanding of Māori protocols, practices, values and language (kawa, nga tikanga me te reo Māori).

I am pleased to say these criteria have been met by all our scholarship recipients today. The standard of applicants is extremely high and I am proud and privileged to be presenting these scholarships today.

Today has been a significant occasion for the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board. We have paid a special tribute to the soldiers of the 28th Māori Battalion, and together we have celebrated Māori achievement.

To all those who have supported the recipients of the scholarships in their journey - many of whom aren’t here today - we say thank you. You are all part of today’s education success.

Now, to you the scholarship recipients, I have some final words for you.

Take the courage you have gained from the presence and participation of all here today. Take with you our deep and heartfelt best wishes for your educational achievements and success.

Live in celebration of your language, culture and identity. Live knowing you can achieve what you set your heart on. Your ability and determination got you here today. Your whānau supported you to follow your path and succeed.  Celebrate Maori enjoying education success as Maori.

Make the most of the knowledge, relationships and experiences you will gain from the study that lies in front of you. What you bring to your study, and who you will become after, will make a difference to many Māori. Your example can live and grow in others, and your contributions to life can help to change this country.

Thank you for the privilege of presenting these awards.

I want to close with the last verse of a waiata titled Arohaina mai, written by Tuini Ngāwai of Ngati Porou for the 28th Māori battalion, which says: 

Ngā hapu katoa o Aotearoa e                        
Tau awhitia rā ko tōku rongo             
Kia mau te tihe mauria ora a ngā tūpuna                   
Hei tohu wehi e                      

To all families of New Zealand

Firmly embrace peace

Retain the spirit of the life of your ancestors

An emblem of courage