Māori tauira receive almost half of 2026 Southern Cross Nursing Scholarships

Māori tauira make up almost half of the 2026 Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship recipients, with 23 of the 49 scholarships awarded so far supporting Māori students - reflecting Southern Cross Healthcare’s commitment to building a more culturally representative workforce across Aotearoa.

Funded by the Southern Cross Health Trust, 56 nursing scholarships are available in total this year. The programme forms part of the Trust’s $1 million investment to support tauira through study and clinical placements.

This year marks the second year of the Nursing Scholarship Programme, established initially with Auckland University of Technology (AUT). After awarding 17 scholarships in 2025, the programme has now grown more than threefold and expanded to a further five tertiary providers including University of Waikato, Western Institute of Technology, Whitireia – WelTec, Ara – Institute of Canterbury and Southland Institute of Technology.

Chris White, Southern Cross Health Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare CEO, says the growth of the programme reflects a clear focus on supporting the next generation of nurses.

“This expansion represents a significant milestone for the Trust and shows the programme’s momentum and impact. The cost of study and clinical placements can be a major barrier for prospective nurses. By increasing the number of scholarships and partnering across regions where we have a hospital presence, we are supporting New Zealand’s future nursing workforce and the health of our communities,” he says.  

Dean Cowles, Tumu Whakarae – Hauora Māori me te Haumaru Ahurea / Head of Hauora Māori & Cultural Safety, says the strong representation of Māori students is meaningful for
the future of healthcare in Aotearoa.

“It is encouraging to see so many tauira Māori receiving these scholarships. Māori nurses bring deep cultural understanding, whānau-centred care and lived-experience that strengthens hauora outcomes for our people. Supporting more Māori into nursing is essential for an equitable, culturally safe health workforce, and this programme is helping create that pathway.”

Recipients receive a $500 weekly stipend while on clinical placement, a $5,000 annual contribution towards course fees and $500 per year for general health and wellbeing. They also receive mentorship opportunities from Southern Cross Healthcare and the cost of the Nursing Council of New Zealand state exam, taken to become registered nurses, is covered in their final year. 

In addition, a $300 nursing uniform and footwear voucher for clinical placement is provided to all first-year nursing students (approximately 1,500) at the six nursing schools – a contribution valued at $450,000. 

Second-year AUT Master of Science (Nursing) student, Mallory Ahmu – who is of Māori (Ngāti Porou and Ngā Rauru) and Samoan descent – previously completed a Bachelor of Health Science and spent seven years working in the public sector.

“Receiving the scholarship was the final encouragement I needed to leave my full‑time job and pursue a career I've always aspired to. I was worried about how to finance two years on top of the demands of being a student nurse, especially with 15 weeks of placement each year. The scholarship has taken a lot of stress out of the unknown and made a huge difference.

“My whānau are my main inspiration. I wanted a career that gave me greater fulfilment and passion. I want to give back to my Māori and Pasifika communities by providing care that prioritises their strengths and perspectives and supports their hauora to flourish.”

Monica Goldwater, Southern Cross Healthcare Chief Nursing &; Quality Officer, says highly skilled, supported nurses are at the heart of quality healthcare.  

“Through these scholarships, we are investing in the ongoing education and development of our nurses, and helping ensure New Zealanders can continue to access exceptional care - now and into the future.”