Borrin Foundation Te Pae Tawhiti Postgraduate Scholarship for Law Graduates (New Zealand)

The Borrin Foundation Te Pae Tawhiti Postgraduate Scholarship provides financial support to New Zealand law graduates who face financial barriers and complex life circumstances to pursue postgraduate legal studies in New Zealand or overseas. The scholarship offers awards of up to $40,000 for one-year programmes and up to $80,000 for multi-year degrees, helping develop a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible legal profession in Aotearoa New Zealand.

About the Borrin Foundation Te Pae Tawhiti Postgraduate Scholarship

The Borrin Foundation Te Pae Tawhiti Postgraduate Scholarship supports talented law graduates whose financial circumstances might otherwise prevent them from pursuing postgraduate legal education.

Inspired by the Māori proverb:

“Whāia te pae tawhiti kia whakatata mai rā. E ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tina!”

(“Pursue the distant horizon and bring it closer. As for the close horizon, secure it and holdfast!”)

the scholarship aims to remove financial barriers while strengthening New Zealand’s legal profession through greater diversity, inclusion, and access to justice.

The programme encourages future legal professionals to contribute to a fair, tolerant, and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.

Scholarship Objectives

The scholarship seeks to:

Support postgraduate legal education for financially disadvantaged law graduates.
Increase diversity within New Zealand’s legal profession.
Improve access to justice for underserved communities.
Build leadership within criminal justice, family law, and civil justice.
Help graduates overcome financial and personal barriers to higher education.
Strengthen the future capacity of New Zealand’s legal system.

Funding Amount

The Borrin Foundation has allocated a total funding pool of $120,000, which will be shared among multiple successful applicants.

Indicative funding includes:

Up to $40,000 for one-year postgraduate programmes.
Up to $80,000 for multi-year postgraduate programmes.

Applicants may request either lower or higher funding amounts depending on their individual circumstances and study costs.

What Can the Scholarship Be Used For?

Funding may be used for:

University tuition fees
Living expenses
Economy-class airfare
Other essential study-related costs

Students already enrolled in postgraduate programmes may apply for funding covering the remaining period of study beginning from January 2027.

Retrospective funding for expenses already incurred is not available.

Eligible Courses

The scholarship supports postgraduate law programmes including:

Master’s degrees
Doctoral programmes
Other postgraduate law qualifications

Eligible study may be undertaken:

At a New Zealand university
At an overseas university
In any legal jurisdiction

Programmes should commence no later than October 2027.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
Hold an LLB degree from a New Zealand institution, or be in the final year of an LLB programme.
Intend to pursue postgraduate study in law.
Demonstrate genuine financial need that cannot reasonably be met through other funding sources.

Priority Will Be Given To

Preference will be given to applicants who:

Come from communities underrepresented in the legal profession, judiciary, or academia.
Have strong connections with those communities.
Face significant personal or family responsibilities.
Have experienced challenging life circumstances.
Intend to improve access to justice for underserved communities.
Work in under-resourced areas of law.
Plan careers in:
- Criminal justice
- Family law
- Civil justice

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to demonstrate:

Strong academic ability.
Financial need.
Commitment to postgraduate legal education.
Potential to contribute to New Zealand’s legal profession.
Dedication to improving access to justice.
Leadership potential.
Community engagement.
Clear study and career objectives.

Why This Scholarship Matters

Many capable law graduates are unable to continue their education because of financial pressures or personal responsibilities.

The Te Pae Tawhiti Scholarship helps bridge this gap by:

Making postgraduate education more accessible.
Supporting equity and inclusion in legal education.
Encouraging future legal leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Strengthening legal services for underserved communities.
Building long-term capacity within New Zealand’s justice system.

How to Apply

Applicants should carefully prepare their application before submission.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure you:

Meet citizenship or residency requirements.
Hold or are completing an eligible LLB qualification.
Plan to undertake postgraduate legal study.
Meet the financial need requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

Applicants should prepare documentation demonstrating:

Academic qualifications
Financial circumstances
Proposed postgraduate programme
Career goals
Personal statement
Any supporting evidence requested by the Foundation

Step 3: Explain Your Financial Need

Clearly describe:

Financial challenges.
Other funding sources explored.
Why scholarship support is essential.

Step 4: Highlight Your Community Impact

Explain how your postgraduate study will:

Improve access to justice.
Benefit underserved communities.
Strengthen New Zealand’s legal profession.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Submit all required documents according to the Foundation’s application instructions.

Tips for a Strong Application

Clearly explain your financial circumstances.
Demonstrate how postgraduate study aligns with your career goals.
Highlight your commitment to social justice.
Show leadership experience and community involvement.
Provide realistic study and career plans.
Ensure all supporting documents are complete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

Providing insufficient evidence of financial need.
Submitting incomplete applications.
Failing to explain career objectives.
Ignoring the Foundation’s strategic focus areas.
Requesting retrospective funding.
Missing required supporting documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Te Pae Tawhiti Postgraduate Scholarship?

New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who have completed, or are completing, an LLB at a New Zealand institution and wish to undertake postgraduate law study.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may receive indicative funding of up to $40,000 for one-year programmes or up to $80,000 for multi-year postgraduate degrees.

Can I study overseas?

Yes. Eligible postgraduate law programmes may be undertaken at universities in New Zealand or overseas.

Can current postgraduate students apply?

Yes. Students already studying may apply for funding covering the remaining portion of their programme beginning from January 2027. Previously incurred costs are not eligible.

What expenses does the scholarship cover?

Funding may support tuition fees, living expenses, economy-class airfare, and other approved study-related costs.

Is financial need required?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate financial need that cannot reasonably be met through other funding sources.

Which applicants receive priority?

Priority is given to applicants from underrepresented communities, those facing complex life circumstances, and individuals committed to improving access to justice, particularly in criminal justice, family law, and civil justice.

Conclusion

The Borrin Foundation Te Pae Tawhiti Postgraduate Scholarship is an important opportunity for aspiring legal professionals in New Zealand who face financial and personal barriers to postgraduate education. By providing substantial financial support and promoting diversity, inclusion, and access to justice, the scholarship helps develop future legal leaders who will make meaningful contributions to New Zealand’s legal system and society.