Sir Robert Gillies was the last surviving member of the Māori Battalion, when he died last November. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Broadcaster Peata Melbourne is among this year's recipients of the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship.
The awards ceremony at Parliament on Thursday included a special tribute to the late Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who passed away in November 2024.
Scholarship fund board member Dr Reuben Collier described Sir Robert as a lone sentinel, carrying the battallion's mantle and legacy.
"Only last year, he passed away at the ripe age of 99 years young, just short of his hundredth birthday, closing a chapter in New Zealand's war history, but ensuring the battallion's memory lived on."
This year, the 13th intake of scholarship recipients included one doctoral candidate, three masters students, three undergraduate students, and two vocational education and training students. The ceremony also celebrated the winners of the 2024 Ngarimu Video Competition and the inaugural Ngarimu Waiata Composition Competition.
2025 scholarship recipients
Doctoral
Peata Melbourne (Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata) - PhD in Māori Studies, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Masters
Nina Noble (Ngāi Tahu) - Master of Performance, Royal College of Music
Master of Education Research
Mereana Dakin (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Porou) - Massey University
Rawiri Coleman (Ngāti Porou) - Te Whare Wānanga o Raukawa
Undergraduate
Elite Reti (Muriwhenua, Ngāti Wai, Ngāpuhi) - Bachelor of Law, University of Auckland
Hine Te Ariki Parata-Walker (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti) - Medicine, University of Auckland
Jacqueline Te Kani-Nankivell (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāpuhi) - Law & Arts, University of Otago
Vocational Education & Training
Gabriella Keil (Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāi Tuhoe) - Nursing, Toi Ohomai Institute
Kata O'Donnell (Ngāti Maru) - Rumaki Reo, Te Wānanga Takiura o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori
Ngarimu Video Competition
Marlow Winder (Te Arawa)
Ngarimu Waiata Composition Competition
Edward Ngatai Braybrook (Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Porou), Puhiraumoa Milner (Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Porou) and Te Kani ā Takiura Porter (Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou).
