Pair awarded scholarships

Kaahu White and Benjie Powick, Northland College head students, have received scholarships towards their 2014 university studies. Photo / Supplied

Kaahu White has topped off a stellar year as Northland College head girl with the honour of being awarded a Maori and Pacific Island Entrance Scholarship to the University of Otago.

The scholarship entitles her to $10,000 towards the costs of her first year of study at the university.

Kaahu is planning to study for a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Maori Studies.

The scholarship celebrates academic excellence and cultural diversity.

It is intended to encourage the progression of Maori and Pacific Island students into tertiary study.

Kaahu's iwi are Te Rarawa and Kai Tahu.

Her older siblings, Tawini and Te Hau, are studying at the University of Otago and are previous recipients of the same scholarship.

Both are Northland College former students.

Kaahu's partner head student has been awarded a university scholarship also.

Head boy Benjie Powick received a general excellence scholarship to the University of Auckland.

The award covers all tuition and compulsory fees and two trips home a year, as well as an allowance of $5000 per annum for at least three years of fulltime study, which can be worth up to $50,000.

Benjie will have to maintain a high grade average throughout his studies to maintain the scholarship.

He is planning to study for an engineering degree at the University of Auckland.

His older brother, Daniel, who also went to Northland College, is completing a law degree at the Auckland University of Technology.

The university had 1200 applicants for the scholarships from throughout New Zealand and has awarded about 100 scholarships for next year.