Twenty Manurewa Local Board Rangatahi Youth Scholarships have been awarded for 2020-21.
Four more scholarships than were offered last year take this year’s total spending to $30,000.
The top award of $2000 goes to a student taking a Bachelor of Arts double major in Māori Development and New Zealand Sign Language and Deaf Studies.
Board chair Joseph Allan says that combination will make the student one of only a handful of people in New Zealand qualified to sign in Māori.
“We are delighted that here is a young person from Manurewa we are able to help acquire unique skills.
“And we are grateful for the advice and help we receive from members of the Manurewa Youth Council around our decisions on this funding too.”
The board’s Rangatahi Youth Scholarships aim to support local young people to develop and grow as leaders, funding enabling them to move into further education, training or attend events to develop their potential.
“Our young people need our support and it is a pleasure every year to be able to stand behind rangatahi and show in a tangible way that we believe in them.”
The scholarships are not restricted to academic study and can also be sought to fund trades training and other courses.
Among the 20 successful applicants are young people studying law, health sciences, rongoa Māori, attending summer school and science and technology events, the arts, human rights, engineering, business and taking part in the Girl’s Brigade Queen’s Award.
