Te Waiu O Aotearoa Trust Scholarships
Te Waiu o Aotearoa Trust was established in 1994 in partnership with Māori and Iwi entities to promote, develop and provide for the education and advancement of Māori in the general business, banking, and finance industries.
Each year, at the trustees’ discretion, up to four Māori recipients throughout Aotearoa are each awarded a $5,000 scholarship towards their tertiary study costs.
The Trust is administered by Westpac New Zealand Limited and applications for 2026 are now open.
| Award value: $5,000 | Number available: Variers |
| Provider: Westpac New Zealand Limited | |
| Contact: careers@westpac.co.nz | |
Opens 16 June 2025
Closes 12 October 2025
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be of Māori descent and Iwi registered
- Be enrolled at an accredited New Zealand tertiary institution in 2026
- Be studying a general business-related or banking and finance-related degree
- Be studying full-time
- Preferably but not necessarily be fluent in Te Reo Māori
- Submit their application and supporting documentation by 11:59pm Sunday 12 October 2025.
How to apply
Applicants can submit their application and supporting documentation by email to careers@westpac.co.nz
Application entries must be received by 11:59pm on Sunday, 12 October 2025.
Key Dates
- 16 June 2025 – Applications open
- 12 October 2025 – Applications close
- 13 October 2025 to 19 November 2025 – Applications reviewed by Trustees panel, interviews held (if applicable) and selections made
- November 2025 – Applicants notified of application outcome
- December 2025 – Scholarship funds paid.
Selection Criteria
The Trustees Panel will consider the applications based on the following criteria:
- Leadership at tertiary institution and in the community
- Involvement with Iwi, Hapū, Marae and wider community
- Life and work experience
- Whakapapa with appropriate endorsement
- Confirmation of study details
The scholarships will be awarded to up to four Tāne and Wāhine throughout Te Waka-a-Māui (South Island) and Te Ika-a-Māui (North Island). Scholarship awards are valued at a maximum of $5,000 (including GST). All applications to the Trust will be assessed against the criteria set out above in accordance with the Trust Deed.
