Applications are now open for the Wai Māori Scholarship

Applications are now open for the 2025 Wai Māori Scholarship, a fund aimed at supporting Māori in the pursuit of freshwater or freshwater fisheries research or study.

The Wai Māori Scholarship was established in 2022 to strengthen the presence of Māori experts in the freshwater and freshwater fisheries related fields of academic study and professional fields. The scholarship seeks to encourage Māori students to pursue research in these fields or further their academic journey.

A total fund of $40,000 has been made available for this scholarship, this may be awarded to a single recipient or split between a number of recipients.

Interested? Download the scholarship guidelines then apply online below.

Purpose of the fund

The scholarship seeks to contribute to the advancement of study or research in one or more of the following areas: 

Indigenous freshwater species research  

Effects of climate change on indigenous freshwater species 

Kaupapa Māori freshwater research 

Māori rights and interests in freshwater  

Freshwater and/or freshwater fisheries/species management and protection  

Freshwater and/or freshwater fisheries/species policy, regulation, and development 

Building or strengthening connections of tauira to their iwi/hapū 

Eligibility criteria

This scholarship is open to students undertaking post-graduate study and to under-graduate students from their second year of study onward.

The selected course of study must begin within a calendar year of the confirmation of your award, and the grant cannot be deferred to subsequent academic years.

Ready to apply?

Once you have downloaded and read through the guidelines, please apply online using the button below.

Applications close midday Monday 22 September 2025.