<p>Mai Maketu ki Tongariro<br />
Ko Te Arawa te waka<br />
Ko Waingaehe te awa<br />
Ko Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe te roto<br />
Ko Ngati Uenukuk&#333;pako me&nbsp; Te Roro o Te Rangi nga iwi<br />
Ko Owhata te marae<br />
I te taha o t&#333;ku M&#257;m&#257;, ko Patricia Paraone-Pairama t&#333;ku kuia r&#257;ua ko Wiremu Hone Barlow t&#333;ku koro. Kua mate t&#333;ku kuia.<br />
I te taha o t&#333;ku P&#257;p&#257;, ko June Ramsey t&#333;ku kuia r&#257;ua ko Haaka M&#333;kena t&#333;ku koro. Kua mate t&#333;ku koro.<br />
Ko Anaru M&#333;kena r&#257;ua ko Karyn Barlow &#333;ku m&#257;tua<br />
Ko Ebony-Grace Tomairangi ahau</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>T&#275;n&#257; koutou! I currently study creative writing and te reo M&#257;ori at Te W&#257;nanga Aronui o T?maki Makaurau (AUT). My ambitions are to follow my passion for writing as well as to integrate my native language and Te &#256;o M&#257;ori. Originally, I studied towards a communications degree with the aim of majoring in journalism. Communications classes have influenced my writing, and I have learned lots from that journey. However, since switching to my current major I&rsquo;ve felt more in touch with who I am as a rangatahi M&#257;ori.</p>

<p>I firmly believe in uplifting the mana of our people and providing our communities with awhi; creating safe spaces for M&#257;ori, wherever we may be. It is a privilege to be working with Whakauae to showcase the diversity of M&#257;ori in all our walks of life. Working with Whakauae has allowed me to share p&#363;r&#257;kau and whakaaro from these different walks of life in a creative way; very much in line with how my t&#363;puna would have. It&rsquo;s an honour to express these philosophies with Whakauae Research. The scholarship that Whakauae as awarded me will allow me to expand my knowledge and skill set in ways I&rsquo;m excited to see benefiting our people.</p>

<p>As a wahine M&#257;ori, this opportunity gives me great pride. I&rsquo;m excited to take what I learn, through the guidance of Whakauae, into my future, where I can very strongly continue to drive positive change for our wh&#257;nau. Mauri ora!</p>
