Scholarships & Grants
Puutea AawhinaThere are a range of ways we aim to support your success by providing grants, scholarships and support for personal development opportunities. Explore the range of grants, subsidies, scholarship and health assistance opportunities currently available to tribal members.
All scholarships and grants require applicants to be a registered Waikato-Tainui tribal member, meet the criteria and accept the privacy policy and related declarations.
Current financial year: FY2026
AAWHINA MAATAURANGA
Tertiary Education Grant
The Waikato-Tainui Tertiary Education Grant is designed for iwi members residing in Aotearoa, pursuing higher education. Available for NZQA Levels 1-7, whether it is at a university, technical institute, private training entity or waananga.
Applicants can apply once per financial year for up to three years.
Open now.
Closes: 5pm 21 November 2025
Tumate Mahuta Memorial Grant
The Waikato-Tainui Tumate Mahuta Memorial Grant is designed for iwi members residing in Aotearoa, pursuing Honours, Post-Graduate or Master’s study. Available for NZQA Levels 8 & 9.
Applicants can apply once per financial year for up to three years.
Open now.
Closes: 5pm 21 November 2025
Doctoral Grant
The Waikato-Tainui Doctoral Grant is designed for post-graduate students residing in Aotearoa, pursuing NZQA Level 10 studies.
Applicants can apply once per financial year for up to three years and are required to explain alignment of their research with the key priorities outlined in Whakatupuranga 2050, including Kiingitanga, Tribal Success, or Tribal Social and Economic Wellbeing.
Partnership Scholarships
The Waikato-Tainui Tertiary Study Partnership Scholarships are available to tribal members who have met the criteria for the tertiary grant.
Applicants can apply once per financial year
These Partnership Scholarships are funded by partners of Waikato-Tainui and are designed to support tribal members studying priority subjects, in addition to the general tertiary grant funding, across a range of priority fields of study.
Grant Opens: 6 October 2025
Grant Closes: 5pm, 17 January 2026
AAWHINA REO ME NGAA TIKANGA
Taiao Grant
The Waikato-Tainui Taiao grant is awarded to projects that align to the Vision and Strategy for Waikato Awa and the objectives set out in the Waikato-Tainui Environmental Plan (Tai Tumu, Tai Pari, Tai Ao).
This is a contestable fund to assist tribal members build capacity to practice Kaitiakitanga, to assist marae and tribal environmental practitioners in the planning and implementation of environmental aspirations.
Total contestable fund $1,000,000. Decision matrix based on Tai Timu Tai Pari Tai Ao Environmental Strategy, Marae endorsement, tribal reach, external funding and sustainability of project.
Tikanga Ora Reo Ora (TORO) Grant
The Waikato-Tainui Tikanga Ora, Reo Ora grant is a contestable fund available for Marae and/or Trust organisations affiliated to the 68 Waikato-Tainui Raupatu marae. Successful applications will enable tribal members and marae to build capacity in Te Reo Maaori me ngaa Tikanga.
Total contestable fund $410,000.00. Decision matrix based on Tikanga Ora Reo Ora Strategy, Marae endorsement, external funding and tribal reach.
Poukai Grant
The Waikato-Tainui Poukai Grant is an Annual grant available for Poukai Marae to support the costs of Poukai. As an integral part of Kiingitanga beliefs and customs this particular grant is available (on an annual basis) to all marae that host Poukai.
Marae are also able to indicate other services that are available this includes, Marquee and chair hire, Paataka kai, the presence of Waikato-Tainui Tribal Connection team and St John Ambulance service for the event.
The grant can be used to assist in Poukai expenses. It does not however cover the purchase of fixed assets, wage or salaries.
AAWHINA HAPORI
Kaumaatua Grant
The Waikato-Tainui Kaumaatua Grant is offered once per financial year, to tribal members registered to Waikato-Tainui who are 60 years or over. It provides relief and support in aged-related health costs.
Kaumaatua are also able to Opt In to a free standard individual Hato Hone St John annual membership through the Eke Manaaki initiative.
Various options are available as a part of this grant and includes access to services from Triton Hearing and OPSM.
Kaumaatua aged 60-69 are eligilble to recieve $500.00
Kaumaatua aged 70+ are eligilble to recieve $1,000.00
Sports Grant (NZ & AUS)
Individual
The Waikato-Tainui Sports Grant promotes and encourages healthy and active tribal members.
This grant is available to individual athletes, sports administrators, who are attending tournaments. Applicants can apply once per financial year.
Organisation | Club
The Waikato-Tainui Sports Grant promotes and encourages healthy and active tribal members.
This grant is available to Organisations or Clubs who are attending tournaments. Applicants can apply once per financial year.
Any Organisation or Club application must meet eligibility criteria that 75% or more of its members are registered with Waikato-Tainui.
Auahaa Innovation Grant
The Waikato-Tainui Auahaa Innovation Grant is available to support whai rawa aspirations of tribal members or marae for innovation and startup costs.
Applicants must have a 50% or more controlling stake in the business. One application per business.
Reporting at the completion of the kaupapa is required.
Paa Whakawairua Fund
The Waikato-Tainui Paa Whakawairua Grant is specifically designed for Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Marae aimed at facilitating Oranga Marae Developments.
This Grants provides co-funding for initiatives including Marae Development Plans up to $10,000.00, Feasibility studies up to $100,000.00 and up to 20% of the total costs of Major Capital Works with the primary objective to support the enhancement and sustainability of Marae infrastructure.
Marae can apply once per financial year.
Annual Marae Grant
Annual disbursement approved annually to support Raupatu Marae in the maintenance and development of our marae. Applications available to Marae Trustee/Committee Chairs only.
Taura here Grant (NZ & AUS)
The Waikato-Tainui Taura here Grant (NZ & AUS) to promote tribal membership groupings supporting tribal initiatives outside of the Rohe including but not limited to: Koroneihana, Waananga, etc.
Applications are available to registered Waikato-Tainui Taura here Committees within Aotearoa and Australia. Applicants can apply once per financial year.
Kia Haere Tuu Driver Licencing
Partnership programme with VTNZ, AA, PassRite, CDTNZ and Drive IQ providing tribal members with discounted rates for a range of licence classes and endorsements.
One grant available per member for each class/type of licence.
Driver Licence Test
Receive 50% discount of the initial cost of a Class 1 & Class 6 Learners, Restricted and Full Licence.
Defensive Driving Course
Receive a 50% discount on Street Talk Defensive driving courses.
Available through CDTNZ & Drive IQ
Endorsement courses & Practical lessons
Receive a 50% discount towards Truck Endorsement courses (Classes 2, 4 & 5) along with Forklift, Roller, Track & Wheels Endorsement courses and practical lessons.
EDUCATION & PATHWAYS
Te Tomokanga Tool Grant
At its discretion, Waikato-Tainui provides tribal members and participants of the Te Tomokanga programme with the necessary tools to support them on their pathway. We understand that each apprenticeship varies, and therefore, the tools required will also vary. The agreement acknowledges that up to the value of $1,500 (including GST) can be provided to support the apprentice in purchasing the necessary tools.