Ngā Karahipi Whakaeke

Ngā Karahipi Whakaeke Ngā Karahipi Whakaeke

Everything we do at MinterEllisonRuddWatts is focused on our purpose of helping to shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s future. To encourage greater diversity in the legal profession, we are excited to reopen applications for Ngā Karahipi Whakaeke.

Ngā Karahipi Whakaeke | The MinterEllisonRuddWatts Awards Programme provides financial assistance and pastoral support for Māori law students who are the first member of their whānau to attend university. Whakaeke means to enable arrival, as we hope to support more Māori students through their law studies and to achieve their goals. 

Applications for two awards, Whakaeke Tāmaki and Whakaeke Pōneke, can be made through Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. We are proud to support the next generation of Māori lawyers and look forward to seeing where this programme can help to take our talented students. 
 

2026 Awards 

Our 2026 Awards, Whakaeke Tāmaki and Whakaeke Pōneke, provide financial assistance of $5,000 (paid at the start of semester / trimester 1, 2026) and mentoring and CV support from our firm.

  • Whakaeke Tāmaki – MinterEllisonRuddWatts First in Whānau Award of $5,000 – for a Māori law student studying at Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland. Applications are open now and close on 11 July 2025. Apply via Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland.
  • Whakaeke Pōneke – MinterEllisonRuddWatts First in Whānau Award of $5,000 – for a Māori law student studying at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Applications are open now and close on 25 July 2025. Apply via Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.

 

Eligibility 

To be eligible for Award consideration, applicants must:

  • Be of Māori descent.
  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Be the first member of their whānau tonu immediate family to attend a university and/or graduate with a Bachelor of Laws.
  • Have completed at least three compulsory second year law papers and be intending to continue their law undergraduate degree in the following year. 
  • Be enrolled at either Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland or Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington law school.
  • Submit their application and supporting documentation to the relevant University scholarships office by the closing date for each Award as noted above.

Selection will be based on the applicant’s demonstrated passion for a career in law, potential to contribute to the law profession, motivation to succeed at university, and their personal circumstances including any financial or other hardship, as assessed by a personal statement. Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend a kōrero with the Selection Committee where they will be invited to share their background and future aspirations. Shortlisted applicants will also be invited to share their pepeha in Māori or English (optional/if known). Shortlisted applicants may be accompanied by a support person.  

The Award will be made to two students, one from each law school at Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.

Refer to the University Scholarship page for further information: