What We Do

Our Mahi

We contribute to improving Māori Health and wellbeing by providing support to the Māori allied health workforce to strengthen and grow

Lead

Champion for Māori to be lead advisors to government in allied health

Advocate

Advocate for health services and practices to be culturally accountable and relevant

Support

Provide a safe space for Māori allied health kaimahi and students to network and build relationships

Training

Provide training, supervision and mentoring to develop cultural and clinical practice


Advocacy Support

Ngā Pou Mana often get asked to support kaimahi and students in an advisory capacity if there are issues relating to employment, health services or complaints regarding racism and discrimination.

We encourage our members to reach out if they are looking for support for Māori workforce related kaupapa.

We will endeavor to do our best to help or point you in the right direction for some

Scholarships

Ngā Pou Mana are proud to be able to provide the Ngā Taonga Mātauranga o Ngā Pou Mana scholarships and awards to tauira and kaimahi Māori.

Ngā Pou Mana have established yearly scholarships in collaboration with PHARMAC that are provided to kaimahi and/or tauira Māori who are in study, and/or those who have had a positive impact on their whānau, hapū, iwi or communities.

The awards are to support Māori allied health workforce development, so that people can continue study and to grow professional and cultural practice. The awards will provide much needed tautoko and manaaki for Māori kaimahi and students to continue their ongoing development.

Applications are open to tauira Māori and members of Ngā Pou Mana. We recognise that the health workforce is changing with new roles within Whānau Ora, the revitalisation of rongoā Māori practices, and Iwi and kaupapa Māori services. Additionally we have a community category, allowing grassroots mahi to be recognised and honoured that exists and remains outside of institutions and organisations.

There are three scholarship categories:

  • Ngā Pou Mana Kete Tuauri $1,000 – Community and whānau x 6 recipients

  • Ngā Pou Mana Kete Aronui $1,500 – Students x 4 recipients

  • Ngā Pou Mana Mātauranga Māori $2,000 – Te Ao Māori/Kaupapa Māori x 4 recipients

This year we will be offering $20,000 worth of scholarships in the above categories. If you require further information please see the sections below or contact us scholarships@ngapoumana.org.nz

We look forward to receiving your applications. Kia kaha!

  • 1st September 2025

  • 10th October 2025

  • You will be sent an email receipt confirming the application has been received.  If you have not heard from us, please email 

    scholarships@ngapoumana.org.nz

  • Yes.  You are still able to apply if you are not a paying member of Ngā Pou Mana.

    • You must be of Māori descent and be able to provide some details of your whakapapa.

    • Category One: Community kaimahi and/or volunteers.  This award is open to those working in the community (voluntary or paid) making a positive change in the area of hauora.

    • Category Two: Student Award.  This award is open to those studying at any level (certificate, diploma, degree, postgraduate, masters, PhD or doctorate) in an allied health pathway.

    • Category Three: Mātauranga Māori. This award is open to those who are entering into study or are in study to build their understanding of Te Ao Māori. Students do not have to be studying in an allied health pathway.

    • It is at the discretion of the Ngā Pou Mana award panel to determine what kaimahi or roles can be considered for the Mātauranga Māori award, which can include, but are not limited to: cultural advisors, therapy assistants, whānau ora navigators, rongoā Māori practitioners and technician assistants.

    • Medical, Pharmacy, Nursing students and professionals cannot apply for the Ngā Pou Mana awards (please check other scholarships including the Te Ora Medical Student Awards, Māori Pharmacy Awards, and the Māori Nurses Awards)

    • People living outside of Aotearoa/New Zealand cannot apply for these awards

    • If you already receive full scholarships for your study, you may not be eligible for these awards

    • Incomplete form (please refer to checklist that ALL applicable sections have been completed)

  • Either click on the button “apply for a scholarship now” or you can fill in a paper application below and email it to 

    scholarships@ngapoumana.org.nz