Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au.

This scholarship was designed to help develop and apply skills in a postgraduate research programme that contributes understanding on oranga taiao/hauora tangata (healthy natural world/healthy people), with a focus on climate change and health.  The scholarship is funded by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and provides one year of postgraduate research funding for a full-time Māori and/or Indigenous Pacific student enrolled at one of CHA’s partner Universities (Te Whare Wananga ki Otakou, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Massey University, University of Waikato). The successful applicant has the opportunity to join the CHA team, and develop relationships with leading tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti climate change and health researchers. In addition, the scholarship provides the opportunity to develop relationships with researchers at ESR learning about the Institute and networking for further research opportunities.

Our current CHA-ESR Scholarship awardee is Kawea Savage who introduced herself in our March 2024 newsletter:

Tēna koutou katoa,

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa. He uri ahāu nō Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tahu me Te Whānau a Apanui me Tūwharetoa ki Tai hoki. Ko Kaewa Savage tōku ingoa.

I am a 22 year old Māori student who grew up in Tauranga Moana where I have completed five years of studies thus far. My academic background is an AUT degree in Sport and Recreation (2021), Te Reo Māori Diploma – Te Tohu Paetahi, through The University of Waikato Tauranga Campus (2022) and I am currently studying a Masters of Health Science specialising in Māori Health through Massey University. My focus within my masters is around the importance of reconnection to the environment for the health of our planet and people. Our taiao (environment) is depleting and it is important that it is prioritised not only for it to flourish but for us as people. I have been adding to my kete (basket) of knowledge through internships, my studies, my mahi and my whānau which has supported me to learn and grow as a Wāhine Māori. My mahi I am currently in is Hēteri Ā Nuku, a conservation programme for rangatahi through Department of Conservation. It is enabling me to explore different career pathways in the taiao and attend wānanga where I am able to learn from different pūkenga (knowledge holders) in the taiao space. I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given through the CHA-ESR scholarship through my masters journey and I look forward to connecting and learning with the organisations.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou,

Kaewa Savage