<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size:12px">2019 Scholarship recipient, Maihi Potaka with Whakauae Director, Dr Amohia Boulton at R&#257;t&#257; Marae.</span></em></p>

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<p>Maihi Potaka (Ng&#257;ti Hauiti, Te &#256;tihaunui-a-P&#257;p&#257;rangi, Ng&#257;ti Manawa) has been named the recipient of the 2019 Whakauae Pae Tawhiti Scholarship. The Scholarship is open to M&#257;ori students, with a record of proven academic excellence and demonstrated commitment to te ao M&#257;ori, who are undertaking Masters or PhD study in a health related field with a research focus on Hauora M&#257;ori.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Maihi was selected from among a strong field of 13 contenders. His selection was announced by Whakauae at the Ng&#257;ti Hauiti Hui a Tau held at R&#257;t&#257; Marae on Saturday 17 August 2019. Maihi is currently enrolled in the M&#257;ori Visual Arts programme at Massey University in the Manawat&#363;. His Ng&#257; Miro Whakaaturanga thesis practicum is focused on the role that M&#257;ori art has to play in healing and as rongo&#257;.</p>

<p>A graduate of the Ng&#257;ti Hauiti He Whet&#363; Arataki Rangatahi Leadership programme, Maihi went on to &lsquo;give back&rsquo; to the iwi through acting as a youth programme facilitator in 2012-2013, the years immediately following his graduation. In 2014, he enrolled at Massey University to begin his Bachelor of M&#257;ori Visual Arts degree which he completed in 2017 with first class honours. In 2018, Maihi went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in M&#257;ori Visual Arts.</p>

<p>Whakauae looks forward to working alongside Maihi over the coming year to support his study as well as its potential contribution to the wellbeing of Ng&#257;ti Hauiti and of the wider M&#257;ori community.</p>
