Ongoing encouragement from the Rūnanga paramount to PhD student’s progress

Dear whānaunga,

I am writing on behalf of myself and my whānau, to express our deepest gratitude for being awarded the Ngāpuhi Doctoral Scholarship 2017. It is an absolute humbling experience to receive this support from my iwi. As an emerging academic, the teaching and learning journey within the formal tertiary institution has not been without its challenges. To have the ongoing encouragement of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi has been paramount to my progress. This award and financial support has come at such a significant time for our whānau. The money received will have a determining role in my now being able to complete my PhD research and submit my thesis by the end of the year. Thank you so much. This scholarship will also tautoko the families for which my research connects, providing an important reciprocity between communities. Thank you again for your acknowledgment.

Arohanui ki a koutou katoa.

Tia Reihana-Morunga
(2017 Ngāpuhi Scholarship Recipient)

[Published in E Mara E Pānui 10 May 2017]