I am currently nearing the end of my first year of studies in which I am studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese. This is a three-year course. I have been managing to maintain an average of 90% for assignments and in-class tests.
As I am a single mother and a full-time student, I do not have the time to undertake employment or have personal hobbies. All my available time is dedicated to studying.
The scholarship I received from the Trust went towards the purchasing of textbooks, which are necessary for my Japanese paper, along with a Dictaphone, which I use for my lectures. As I am not a confident note-taker, the Dictaphone is an invaluable tool to me.
The only study tip I can offer is to study whenever you have spare time.
To ensure that I receive good grades, I re-read my notes and commit information to memory.
I would like to mention that even though my marks have been good, it is a constant battle and a lot of stress maintaining reasonable scores and it is only because I want to provide a better life for my son that I persevere. However, I am positive that the sacrifices I make and the struggles I contend with everyday will be worth it in the end.

Nga mihi nui kia koe. Ko Te Arawa raua ko Waitaha oku Iwi, ko Ngati Whakaue raua ko Pirirakau oku Hapu, ko Grace Koce (Whare) taku ingoa.
In 2006, I was a successful recipient of the 'Norman Kirk Memorial Scholarship'. At this time, I was in my second year of my 'Bachelor of Nursing Degree'. This scholarship helped me purchase much-needed books for my final year of studies. I completed my full-time studies this year (2007) with my graduation in March. My studies were at Waiariki Polytechnic in Rotorua which I enjoyed being apart of the Whanau group there. I am the mother of three daughters (of which my baby was 18 months when I started) and happily married.
Some advice I would like to offer any of our Wahine out their with Tamariki and/or a Tane, is to keep a balance of study and whanau. Prioritise your study times for when the tamariki are asleep or occupied so you're not having to growl them too often when you're on the computer! Also, to leave time aside to be with your Tane, include him in your learning and always remember this is a journey that your whanau will also go through.
I am employed by a Kaupapa Maori Primary Health Organisation (PHO) as the 'Co-ordinator of the Pre-entry to Nursing Programme". Not quite clinical mahi but this has offered me a real insight into programming and co-ordination. I am also working as a Practice Nurse (GP) for my own Iwi. The part of my mahi I love the most is working for Maori, by Maori!

Originally from Raetihi, currently living in Whanganui, I am of a descendant of Te Atihaunui-a Pāpārangi.
Currently in my second year, I am studying towards a Bachelor of Nursing at UCOL Whanganui. Upon completion of my degree and passing a state final examination at the end of 2008, I will become a New Zealand registered nurse. At present, my interests lie with primary health care, particularly Māori health, community mental health and adolescent sexual health.
Educational achievements to date are:

• Whanganui Trust (Atihau) Education Grant 2006
• Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Education Grant 2006
• 'A' average for 2006 (11 papers: 10 A's and one B)
• Akoranga Education Trust Scholarship 2007
• Nursing Education & Research Foundation and Gretta & Harry Hamblin Trust Book Grant 2007
• Florence Nightingale Memorial Fund 2007
• Ministry of Health Hauora Māori Scholarship 2007
• Whanganui Trust (Atihau) Education Grant 2007
• Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Scholarship 2007
• Norman Kirk Memorial Scholarship 2007
• Graduate Women Manawatu Award 2007
• 'A' average for Semester One 2007 (Three papers: three A's)
• Attestation from the UCOL School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology for exemplary work, titled "Surgical Case Study".

As a recipient of the Norman Kirk Memorial Scholarship as well as scholarships as detailed herein, I have repaid my student loan. Extremely grateful for the scholarships I have received throughout the course of my studies, the assistance has alleviated financial strain, allowing me to concentrate on my studies.
Personal achievements to date are:

• Single mum to my beautiful son Tiwana
• Full-time nursing student of UCOL Whanganui
• Student representative for UCOL Whanganui's Bachelor of Nursing second-year class
• Part-time Te Ara Reo student of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
• Have repaid my student loan

Personal interest/hobbies:

• Playing the piano and guitar, listening to music of various genres
• Snowboarding, walking, running, swimming, netball
• Spending time with whānau and friends
• Meeting new people, helping others, making a difference

My study tip is: do the best you can! Leave the housework. It will get done eventually.
I would encourage and recommend anyone considering studying, whether it be for a Bachelor of Medicine or a Modern Day apprenticeship for example, to take up the challenge. Try not to let environmental circumstances or a 'can't do' or 'not brainy enough' attitude get in the way of what it is that interests you. Anything is possible! Set a goal, make a commitment and you will find that doors open up, allowing you to achieve your goal/s. I am proof of that!

My name is Gemma Skipper and I am a recipient of the Norman Kirk Memorial Scholarship (2006) and the Frances Irwin Hunt Art Scholarship (2007). I am very grateful for these scholarships as they have helped me tremendously in my University costs, both in terms of materials and fees. I receive no government funding in terms of a student allowance or living costs and these scholarships have helped keep me out of debt and self-sufficient as my course is ongoing in terms of material costs.
I am currently a second year Visual Arts student at the Auckland University of Technology, majoring in photography. My course is a combination of theoretical and critical studio work, in which I receive a mixture of A's and B+'s. I am thoroughly enjoying the course, which demands a large amount of time and hard work, but pays off in developing my artistic practice. I am also a second-year student representative, which involves taking opinions of my classmates to meetings held with tutors to help develop the course and represent the student body.
I currently have two jobs at Hell's Pizza and Kodak where I work approximately twenty hours a week to support myself. At Hell's Pizza I am training to be a manager, which involves learning new skills and taking on a leadership position in a team environment. I hope to be a qualified manager by the end of the year.
My advice to an other person entering into a University programme, particularly a creative one such as photography, is to work at your full potential because the rewards of success affect you personally and enable you with skills for the future.

I am studying towards the Bachelor of Nursing at EIT in Napier. I am now in my final year and can see the end in sight (phew!).
Many positive changes have occurred during the past 2.5 years. I have become a single parent with full custody of my children (Mitchell, 6 and Maia, 3). I work part-time at a local rest home and have had many great learning experiences out on clinical practice and through the theory taught at EIT.
While on nursing practice I discovered that I have a strong interest in coronary care nursing and I also found Māori adult community mental health interesting and challenging. I will complete my degree in July 2007 and hope to secure a position as a new graduate at the regional DHB working in the cardiology medical area.
My personal interests focus mostly around my two children's activities. I try to keep healthy and regularly go walking. It will be nice when exams are finished to just read a book that is not related to nursing. I'm probably not the best person to ask for study tips but my advice for nursing students is to do all the pre-reading especially for anatomy and physiology and attend all the classes. When on clinical placement ask lots of questions and show some initiative.
I am grateful to the Māori Education Trust for awarding me this scholarship as I do not think I could have completed the three years without the financial support. Thank you.

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