Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Postgraduate Scholarship (New Zealand)

The Borrin Foundation Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Postgraduate Scholarship supports Māori law graduates pursuing advanced legal studies in New Zealand or overseas. The scholarship aims to strengthen Māori leadership in the legal profession by providing financial support, academic guidance, and cultural connection through Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga and Te Kupenga o MAI.

About the Borrin Foundation Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Postgraduate Scholarship

The Borrin Foundation Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Postgraduate Scholarship is designed to support Māori law graduates who wish to continue postgraduate study in law.

The scholarship aims to increase Māori participation in advanced legal education and develop future Māori leaders who can contribute to:

• Legal scholarship
• Māori legal development
• The legal profession
• Indigenous legal research and practice

The programme provides both financial assistance and academic and cultural support to successful scholars.

Purpose and Objectives of the Scholarship

The scholarship focuses on:

• Increasing Māori postgraduate participation in law
• Supporting Māori graduates undertaking advanced legal studies
• Strengthening connections with Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view)
• Developing future Māori leadership in law
• Supporting Māori contributions to legal research and development

The initiative recognizes the importance of Māori representation and leadership within the legal profession.

Funding Support

The Borrin Foundation has allocated a total funding pool of:

• Total scholarship fund: $80,000

The funding may be:

• Awarded to one successful scholar, or
• Divided between two scholars

The scholarship may support postgraduate law study in:

• New Zealand universities
• Overseas universities
• Any legal jurisdiction

What Expenses Can the Scholarship Support?

Scholarship funding may contribute toward:

• Postgraduate course fees
• Living expenses
• Economy-class international travel costs
• Other approved study-related expenses

The scholarship can support:

• One-year postgraduate programmes
• Multi-year postgraduate law degrees

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be Māori law graduates
• Hold an LLB degree from a New Zealand institution
• Intend to pursue postgraduate legal study
• Study law at a New Zealand or overseas institution

Eligible applicants may include those pursuing:

• Master’s degrees in law
• Advanced postgraduate legal qualifications
• Other postgraduate law programmes

Applicant Requirements

Successful applicants should demonstrate:

Strong Academic Background

Applicants should show:

• Good academic performance
• Commitment to advanced legal study
• Ability to succeed in postgraduate education

Connection to Te Ao Māori

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Engagement with Māori values and perspectives
• Commitment to Māori legal development
• Understanding of Māori communities and issues

Future Leadership Potential

Applicants should show potential to contribute to:

• Māori legal leadership
• The legal profession
• Legal research
• Indigenous legal advancement

Academic and Cultural Support

In addition to financial assistance, scholars receive support from:

Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga

Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga is New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence, supporting Māori and Indigenous research and scholarship.

Support includes:

• Academic guidance
• Research connections
• Māori research networks
• Scholar development opportunities

Te Kupenga o MAI

Successful scholars will also have access to Te Kupenga o MAI, a Māori and Indigenous scholar network that provides:

• Peer support
• Research connections
• Professional development opportunities
• Māori academic community engagement

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare an application demonstrating:

1. Academic qualifications
   • LLB qualification details
   • Academic achievements
2. Postgraduate study plans
   • Proposed law programme
   • University or institution details
   • Study timeline
3. Personal statement
   • Connection to Te Ao Māori
   • Career goals
   • Contribution to Māori legal development
4. Leadership potential
   • Future goals in the legal profession
   • Plans to contribute to Māori communities and legal advancement

Important Application Information

Applicants who are already enrolled in postgraduate law study may apply for funding for the remaining period of their programme.

However:

• Funding is available only from January 2026 onwards
• Retrospective funding for previous study periods is not provided

Why This Scholarship Matters

The scholarship supports the growth of Māori leadership in the legal sector by removing financial barriers and creating opportunities for advanced legal education.

The programme helps:

• Increase Māori representation in postgraduate law
• Strengthen Indigenous legal scholarship
• Support future Māori legal professionals
• Encourage contributions to law reform and legal development

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the Borrin Foundation Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Scholarship?

The scholarship is open to Māori LLB graduates from New Zealand institutions who want to pursue postgraduate legal studies.

2. Can applicants study overseas?

Yes. Applicants may undertake postgraduate law study at universities in New Zealand or overseas.

3. How much funding is available?

The total scholarship pool is $80,000, which may be awarded to one scholar or shared between two scholars.

4. What expenses can the scholarship cover?

Funding may support tuition fees, living expenses, and economy-class airfares related to postgraduate study.

5. Can current postgraduate law students apply?

Yes. Current students may apply for funding for their remaining study period beginning from January 2026. Previous expenses are not covered.

6. What additional support do scholars receive?

Scholars receive academic and cultural support through Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga and Te Kupenga o MAI.

7. What qualities are considered in selection?

Selection considers academic achievement, connection to Te Ao Māori, commitment to postgraduate legal study, and potential for future Māori leadership in law.

Conclusion

The Borrin Foundation Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Postgraduate Scholarship provides an important opportunity for Māori law graduates to advance their legal education and develop leadership skills. Through financial assistance, academic support, and Māori research networks, the scholarship helps strengthen Māori representation and influence within the legal profession and legal development.