Discovery Scholarship recipients - 2026

Raukaraka Gardiner - Te Mātauranga Pūtaiao Award (Māori Science Award)

Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato - The University of Waikato

Tēnā koutou katoa, Ko Matawhaura rāua ko Panehora ngā maunga Ko Rotoiti te roto Ko Mangowhero te awa Ko Te Arawa rāua ko Tainui ngā waka Ko Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāi Tahu, me Ngāti Awa ngā iwi Ko Raukaraka Gardiner tōku ingoa.
I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Environmental Planning within the Te Ara Taiao stream at the University of Waikato. This pathway allows me to walk in two worlds, finding a vital balance between modern planning and Māori indigenous studies.

My inspiration comes from the world around me; when I look at our environment, I see the presence of ngā atua Māori. I feel a deep responsibility to cherish and protect them. Environmental planning allows me to "hit two birds with one stone"; it gives me the tools to create environments that support the Whare Tapa Whā of our people while ensuring a sustainable and healthy future for our taiao.
Looking ahead, I aspire to work directly with iwi Māori to support the growth of our communities. Whether it is developing papakāinga or navigating resource management, I want to ensure our built environments reflect our cultural identity and provide for the needs of our people.
I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship. In a time where the cost of living remains a "wicked problem," this financial support is a massive relief that allows me to focus fully on my studies. Beyond the financial aspect, I am excited for the opportunity to network and connect with others who share a passion for the future of our land.

Words cannot fully express my gratitude for this opportunity. I am deeply appreciative of the effort and dedication the scholarship committee has put into supporting students like myself, and I am honoured to be a recipient.

Ngā mihi Maioha
Raukaraka Gardiner

Tusiata Buchanan-Falema'a - Te Mātauranga Pūtaiao Award (Māori Science Award)

Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau - Auckland University of Technology

Ka tū ahau i runga i tōku maunga,
Ko Taranaki
Ka titiro whakararo au ki tōku moana e rere kau ana,
Ko Te Whanganui-a-Tara
I hoea mai ōku tupuna i ōku waka,
Ko Tokomaru me Kurahaupō
Ka noho piritahi tōku iwi ki tōku marae,
Ko Te Aro Pā
E sau a'u mai Salimu ma Vaigaga i le itu o lo'u tamā,
I te taha o tōku māmā,
Ko Taranaki me Te Āti Awa ōku iwi
Ko Tusiata Buchanan-Falema’a tōku ingoa.

Kia ora, Talofa lava & Hello!

In 2026, I will be entering my third and final year of a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in te reo Māori at Auckland University of Technology. I was fortunate to grow up with strong connection to both of my Māori and Samoan heritage and because of this, my identity as a Polynesian woman has always been nourished through my link with Te Taiao. Moreover, connection to Papatūānuku as tangata whenua is the driving force of why I choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science, specifically within the biology/conservation field. I believe understanding and respecting our whenua and moana is crucial for our own mana as well as our mauri. Through studying and working in this field, I wish to continue efforts to protect our whenua, not just for myself or my tūpuna but for rangatahi that will come after me.

It is a great honour to be a recipient of the Te Mātauranga Pūtaiao Award. Ngā mihi nui ki Te Mana Tangata Whakawhanake.