Pou Herenga Tangata Award

Supporting rangatahi towards community leadership

In Te Ao Māori, rangatira are often extolled for their ability to bind people together. In this way, they are likened to a mooring post upon which many waka may tie their lines. Through their steadfast nature and values-driven actions, these pillars bring communities together.

This award recognises the contributions of the late Norm Dewes to Tapuwae Roa (then Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust), and to his community. These contributions have taken different forms throughout his close association with the Trust from its conception, as a previous Chair and director of the Trust, and as a life-time advocate for Māori living the urban experience.

In his many decades of service to his community, Matua Norm embodied this award. The post to which people bind their mooring ropes, providing stability in unity.

About the award

The Pou Herenga Tangata Award offers five, $5,000 grants, to support rangatahi Māori to pursue their leadership aspirations through the delivery of community-driven initiatives. Available as an individual or organisation application, this fund supports our rangatahi who are actively demonstrating a leadership role in their community, or who aspire to deliver a leadership kaupapa in the community.

The award’s core purpose is to support rangatahi Māori to deepen their connection and contribution to their community. Awardees must be either:

  • Rangatahi Māori (aged 16-24 years)
    • Who are actively demonstrating a leadership role in their community, or aspire to lead a kaupapa in their community.

OR

  • Organisations that meet the following criteria:
    • Be a non-government organisation, registered charity, marae or hapū group, or collective of Māori individuals who have come together and meet the requirements of this category
    • Meet the minimum reporting requirements of a Tier 4 entity. More on this here.
    • Financially solvent
    • Demonstrated support from their community to deliver, or currently deliver (or propose to develop) kaupapa Māori initiatives that specifically target and support the development of rangatahi Māori to become leaders in their communities
    • Can demonstrate clear outcomes towards creating “future leaders armed with ancient wisdom”

Required documents

To apply for this scholarship, fill out the online application form and supply the following documents:

  • A short moemoea description providing information on what you or your organisation wishes to achieve with this funding, and the proposed path of achieving these aspirations (max 2,000 characters, approximately 300-350 words)

  • A letter of endorsement from a referee
  • A short ‘cover video’ (120 seconds) outlining/illustrating the following:
    • An overview of your kaupapa
    • How you aim to serve your community, and your commitment to them
    • How you will deliver positive outcomes for rangatahi Māori.

Application process and timings

You must complete and submit an online application by 9 September 2024

A selection panel will consider applications on their merit against the purpose of the Pou Herenga Tangata Award and Tapuwae Roa’s impact outcomes.

The successful candidate will be notified by 20 September 2024 and announced via Tapuwae Roa’s website and associated social media channels.

  • You agree to fulfil some media requirements for Tapuwae Roa – prior to, during, or following the completion of your initiative/programme or during the journey of achieving your aspiration (e.g share your kaupapa on our social media channels, provide a quote for press releases, and share your kaupapa on our website)
  • You agree for your community programme to be featured across Tapuwae Roa’s marketing and promotional channels.

Terms and Conditions

By applying for the Pou Herenga Tangata Award you will accept the following:

  • You agree that the information provided in your application and the supporting document is correct in all respects and represents the true nature of your application.
  • You consent to Tapuwae Roa – and/or the selection panel contacting you and/or anyone named in this application to verify or obtain further information if this is required, or to seek clarification on any information provided therein.
  • You agree to provide further information pertaining to any questions of your application is true and correct.
  • You agree to abide by the rules relative to this application.
  • You agree that Tapuwae Roa may publish your name publicly as a recipient if successful.
  • You agree that Tapuwae Roa may report on and publish content of your use of the scholarship/grant.
  • You agree to refund in full any monies paid by Tapuwae Roa if you have not used the funds for the express purposes as outlined in your application.

Tapuwae Roa (formally, Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust) was established under the Māori Fisheries Act 2004 as part of the settlement of Māori fishing rights claims. As an independent charitable trust, its role is to provide strategic leadership in education, training, and workforce development for Māori, and to manage the Trust’s fund made available for these purposes. Tapuwae Roa has a particular obligation to ensure benefits are made available to all Māori and give regard to Māori who do not associate with their iwi and/or do not receive benefits from a Mandated Iwi Organisation. 

A Pou Herenga Tangata Awardee will embody and promote the characteristics invoked by the term Pou Herenga Tangata; a pillar that binds people together, within their community, whānau, hapū or social group.

Successful awardees, in addition to the grant, become part of Ngā Auahitūroa – Tapuwae Roa’s Alumni network of over 300 diverse, passionate, and highly talented Māori throughout Aotearoa.

To find out more about previous recipients, click here.

Applications for the 2024 funding rounds are now closed. Join our pānui list to be notified of future rounds.