Scholarship winner Nikau Tonhihi (centre) with the Hilliard wh膩nau and Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Claire Robinson (second from right) and M膩ori arts director, Ngatai Taepa (top left).
Massey鈥檚 College of Creative Arts has awarded the inaugural Hinemoa Hilliard Memorial Scholarship to first-year Bachelor of M膩ori Visual Arts student Nikau Tonhihi of Te Aitanga-a-M膩haki, Ng膩puhi and Ng膩ti T奴wharetoa.
The scholarship was established, in conjunction with the late Ms Hilliard鈥檚 wh膩nau, to remember, recognise and celebrate her influence.聽
Ms Hilliard (1960鈥2013), of Ng膩ti Kahu, Ng膩puhi, was a highly-respected teacher, writer, freelance curator, maker, curriculum developer, museum professional and academic, whose warmth and knowledge touched students and staff during the 15 years she worked at 暴风资源, Whiti o Rehua the School of Art.
The scholarship celebrates the success of a student who in their first year of study showed excellence in writing about M膩ori visual culture, exemplified manaakitanga and demonstrated a high level of commitment to kaupapa M膩ori. It covers tuition fees for the student鈥檚 second year of study within the College of Creative Arts.
Members of the Hilliard wh膩nau attended the Celebration to Honour M膩ori Graduates recently at which the scholarship was awarded.
Mr Tonhihi was selected by the panel for his essay that compared two meeting houses, Te Hau-ki-Turanga and Te Hono-ki-Hawaiki, and received the endorsement of his lecturers who praised his commitment to study and helping others while raising a young child.