Te Whatu Ora- Te Pitomata Grants
Te Pitomata Grants support an inclusive workforce encouraging Māori into health careers.The Te Pitomata Grant categories include key areas within the healthcare sector in New Zealand.
The grants can contribute to tuition fees, course related costs and living cost for eligible students of Māori descent, undertaking a course in a health-related field through an accredited New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) provider or through a provider supporting the education of future Rongoā Māori practitioners.
| Award value: Up to $5,000 | Number available: Varies |
| Provider: Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand | |
| Contact: tepitomatagrants@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz | |
Opens: 9th March 2026 | Closes: 1st April 2026
The Undergraduate category targets ākonga Māori pursuing undergraduate studies in health-related fields. By supporting ākonga at this level of education, the program aims to cultivate a diverse and skilled health workforce at the early stage of their career. This category addresses the need for increased Māori representation in patient facing roles, ensuring culturally competent care helps to address health disparities within Māori communities.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for the Undergraduate category:
· Be of Māori descent
· You are studying full time
· Enrolled at an approved tertiary provider in New Zealand
· Enrolled in a related course at NZQA Level 7 and above. The subcategories are nursing, midwifery, and all qualifications within AHS&T (Allied Health, Scientific & Technical).
Unitec programmes that are eligible: Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Health Science/Medical Imaging
Clinical Postgraduate.
The Clinical Postgraduate grant focuses on supporting ākonga Māori undertaking postgraduate studies that has a patient facing clinical pathway. The program aims to enhance the expertise and leadership capabilities of current and future Māori professionals who will make a difference to front line services for Māori within the health sector. This category supports the development of advanced practitioners, contributing to innovation, evidence-based practice, and supporting the overall improvement of Māori health outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for the Clinical Postgraduate category:
· Be of Māori descent
· Studying and/or working in the health sector
· Enrolled at an approved tertiary provider in New Zealand
· Enrolled in a related course at NZQA Level 7 and above in a postgraduate program. The subcategories include but are not limited to: Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Prescribers and Clinical Psychology.
· Your programme of study must be a patient facing clinical pathway
Priority Target Workforce (PTW): Medical, Dentistry
This category is intended to support the uplift of the Māori medical workforce to be representative of the Māori population in Aotearoa in the targeted areas of Medical and Dentistry.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for the Priority Target Workforce: (PTW)
· Be of Māori descent
· Studying full time
· Enrolled at an approved tertiary provider in New Zealand
· Enrolled in a related course at NZQA Level 7 and above.
For more information:
Te Whatu Ora Website: Supporting Māori into health careers – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Te Pitomata Grants Guidelines Guidelines-2026-Te-Pitomata-Grants-v2.docx
