Haramai ngā toki

We are pleased to present our Tukuoha funding recipients for 2025.  

The consistently high standard of applications for our funding rounds continued to impress our panel this year, and we mihi to those who took the time to share their kaupapa with us from across the motu – koia kei a koutou! 

This year’s grants were awarded across three funds: 

• Tonganui Scholarship – Advancing tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori within the oceans space 

• Pou Herenga Tangata Award – Supporting rangatahi Māori to lead or establish community-based kaupapa 

• Te Ngake o Te Kūpenga – Encouraging Māori into ocean-based careers through stronger connections to Tangaroa 

From Te Ika-a-Māui to Te Waipounamu, we look forward to seeing these projects thrive. Koutou ngā kaiwhiwhi, mokori anō ngā mihi! 

Acknowledging our whakapapa to Tangaroa and Hinemoana, the Tonganui Scholarship offers three $10,000 grants to accelerate Māori professionals advancing tikanga Māori, mātauranga tuku iho and Te Ao Māori within the oceans sector.

Named in honour of the late Matua Norm Dewes, the Pou Herenga Tangata Award provides five $5,000 awards to support rangatahi Māori (aged 16-24) to grow as our next generation of leaders. Awarded to either an individual recipient or organisation, this fund supports our rangatahi who are actively leading or looking to establish kaupapa in their community.

Te Ngake o Te Kupenga is a discretionary fund that aims to encourage Māori towards oceans-based careers by strengthening their connections to Tangaroa.

All successful recipients of Tapuwae Roa funding join Ngā Auahitūroa; an alumni network of over 300 diverse Māori change-makers, including academic scholars, community leaders, creatives, and researchers.