University of Auckland Waka Moana and Vaka Moana Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to Māori (Waka Moana) and Pacific (Vaka Moana) students attending university for the first time. The scholarships provide one year of catered accommodation in a University of Auckland Hall of Residence, along with a laptop that the student keeps. Each Hall offers catering, a private room, activities and events, academic mentoring programmes and pastoral care. Free membership to the University Recreation facilities on the City Campus is also included. The scholarships are designed to provide support to exceptional students during their studies towards an undergraduate degree at the University of Auckland. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, participation in Māori performing arts (for Waka Moana), leadership positions, sporting or arts competitions, and community service. The University acknowledges barriers to tertiary education and considers factors such as financial need, attendance at lower-decile schools, refugee background, disability, care responsibilities, rural location, and first-generation university status.