Motu Research announces winners of the Āheitanga Scholarship 2024

Oct 18, 2024

Motu Research is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Āheitanga Scholarship, an award designed to bolster research capacity within Aotearoa New Zealand’s Māori community. This year, two exceptional university students of Māori descent have been selected to share the $10,000 scholarship pool, supporting their academic and research endeavours over the coming year.

L to R - Celia Karl, Jake Koekemoer and Dave Maré (Senior Fellow)

About the Āheitanga Scholarship

Every year, Motu Research offers the Āheitanga Scholarship to empower Māori students who are doing Honours, Master’s, or PhD theses focused on topics relevant to public policy development. The scholarship aims to provide not only financial support but also academic and research guidance, fostering the creation of meaningful long-term networks among researchers. 

Meet the 2024 scholars

Award 1: Celia Karl

Affiliated with Rongowhakaata, Celia Karl is currently pursuing her Master of Business Studies in Economics at Massey University’s Te Au Rangahau. Under the supervision of Matt Roskruge, Celia’s research examines the performance, practices and constraints for firms influenced by a te ao Māori worldview. After completing her Masters, she wants to further her interests in combining economics and the Māori Economy.

Award 2: Jake Koekemoer

Affiliated with Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Māui, Jake Koekemoer is doing a Master of Management Studies in Economics at The University of Waikato. Guided by Professor Anna Strutt, Jake’s dissertation will look at the effects of business characteristics on export propensity for Māori businesses and authorities. Jake’s research will contribute to the understanding of the unique business climate faced by Māori exporters in Aotearoa New Zealand.

A commitment to Māori excellence

Motu Research is committed to fostering academic excellence and supporting the next generation of Māori leaders in research and public policy. By awarding the Āheitanga Scholarship, Motu Research not only invests in individual scholars but also strengthens the broader Māori research community. Congratulations to Celia Karl and Jake Koekemoer for their outstanding achievements and dedication to advancing knowledge that will benefit Aotearoa New Zealand’s Māori population.

See here for more information about the Āheitanga Scholarship and future opportunities.