Tahlia Kingi is following in her Rotorua grandmother's footsteps to support the health and wellbeing of Maori.
The 28-year-old doctorate student, who is studying to be a clinical psychologist, was yesterday awarded a Ngarimu VC and 28th (Maori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship worth $25,000 a year for up to two years.
Ms Kingi, who grew up in Rotorua, is researching self-injury among young Maori and the support role of whanau and community for her PhD, which she will complete in 2016.
She said the funding would allow her to complete her PhD at Victoria University in Wellington.