Twenty young people will begin their studies next year armed with Manurewa local Board Rangatahi Youth Scholarships.
Together the scholarships total $38,000 and they range between $1500 and $2000 for each recipient.
The recipients include rangatahi who will pursue academic careers in commerce, law, medicine, sports and recreation, architecture, veterinary science, computer fields, global studies, te reo, counselling and engineering.
But scholarships also went to young people interested in trades training such as becoming a chef, and to one participant undertaking training to take on a career in the ministry.
Most of the grants were made to help with course costs or fees, though other applicants received support for computers or course-related equipment, or accommodation and transport costs.
Manurewa Local Board member Anne Candy this year’s scholarships match the 20 awarded in 2020. “In a community that doesn’t always have ready access to cash, $38,000 is a lot of money students didn’t have to find or borrow.”
The board’s decisions were again guided by advice from the Manurewa Youth Council.
“It’s important young people have input into decisions affecting other rangatahi, and youth council members provided great advice,” she says.
Many scholarships recognise outstanding academic performance, but board chair Joseph Allan says Manurewa is committed to being open to everyone.
“We look at people’s potential to return something to their communities, and Manurewa has many fine rangatahi deserving of that little bit of support that might make their life journeys easier.”
“Helping someone become an electrician is as important to us as standing behind someone who wants to become vet. We don’t rank career choices, we try to help good young people.”
Applicants must use their scholarships to move into education and training or attend New Zealand events based on leadership and development, live in the board area, be citizens or residents, and have shown leadership potential or a willingness to help others.
