Maori academics get a helping hand

Kelly Ratana (left) and Hannah Leckie are two recipients of the Rose Hellaby Award. Photo / Chris Gorman

Promising Maori academics are being given a hand to study in some of the world's leading universities - with a dash of magic thrown in.

Kelly Ratana, 26, and Hannah Leckie, 28, were two of 112 scholars who last night received education grants from the Rose Hellaby Maori Education Fund.

In September Ms Leckie will take up a place at England's Oxford University to study towards a master's degree in science in water science, policy and management.

"It's going to be an inspiration, with all the legends that come with it and the traditions," Ms Leckie said.

"And I'm in Christ Church College, which is where Harry Potter was filmed. So I'll be eating dinner at the dining hall they had in the movie."

Last night's awards recognised $130,000 worth of scholarships given out this year by the fund, which was established in 1969 by the late Rose Hellaby, a descendant of the Auckland-based meat dynasty.

Ms Ratana, studying towards a master's degree in marine science at Hawai'i Pacific University, said the work could be challenging, but the experience was invaluable.

"There are scientists and Maori, and we both view ourselves within the natural world really differently. And as a Maori scientist, I see myself as the person trying to bridge that gap through my work."