Port of Tauranga

Port Awards Local Scholarships

Posted on 20th January 2009

Four new Tauranga students have been named as recipients of a Port of Tauranga scholarship for tertiary study (which brings the total recipients for 2009 to seven).

The Turirangi Te Kani Memorial Scholarships, which honour one of Tauranga's leading community figures, have been awarded annually by the Port for 19 years.

This year's recipients are Summer Bennett from Mount Maunganui (aged 18), studying for a Bachelor of Communication, at Waikato University, Te Paeroa Dickson (17) of Hamilton, studying for a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Podiatry, at AUT University, Auckland, Chase Douglas (18) of Tauranga, studying for a Bachelor of Music at Waikato University and Rangitahi Kawe (18) from Tauranga, studying for a Bachelor of Architecture at Victoria University of Wellington.

The scholarship is awarded for up to three years' tertiary study to young people from the Tauranga Moana Trust Board area with tribal affiliation with Tauranga Iwi. It recognises not only the contribution made to the community by Turirangi Te Kani, who led the formation of the Matapihi-Ohuku Trust and served on the Tauranga-Moana Maori Trust Board, but also his services and advice to the Port of Tauranga. A veteran of the Maori Battalion, Turirangi Te Kani died in 1990.

"We take an active interest in the tertiary careers of the students we support," said Port Chief Executive Mark Cairns. "The scholarships are awarded on a year-by-year basis and the students report back on their study progress and exam results each year."

Of the five recipients of the award from 2007 and 2008, three have been affirmed to receive the scholarships funds again in 2009. They are Jessica Rae (second year) and Titikawhena Ngatai and Chris Tipuna (third year).

For further information please contact:

Mark Cairns
Chief Executive
Port of Tauranga Limited
Ph: 07 572 8829