Scholarship winner Nikau Tonhihi (centre) with the Hilliard whānau and Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Claire Robinson (second from right) and Māori arts director, Ngatai Taepa (top left).
Massey’s College of Creative Arts has awarded the inaugural Hinemoa Hilliard Memorial Scholarship to first-year Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts student Nikau Tonhihi of Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
The scholarship was established, in conjunction with the late Ms Hilliard’s whānau, to remember, recognise and celebrate her influence.
Ms Hilliard (1960–2013), of Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi, was a highly-respected teacher, writer, freelance curator, maker, curriculum developer, museum professional and academic, whose warmth and knowledge touched students and staff during the 15 years she worked at Massey University, Whiti o Rehua the School of Art.
The scholarship celebrates the success of a student who in their first year of study showed excellence in writing about Māori visual culture, exemplified manaakitanga and demonstrated a high level of commitment to kaupapa Māori. It covers tuition fees for the student’s second year of study within the College of Creative Arts.
Members of the Hilliard whānau attended the Celebration to Honour Māori Graduates recently at which the scholarship was awarded.
Mr Tonhihi was selected by the panel for his essay that compared two meeting houses, Te Hau-ki-Turanga and Te Hono-ki-Hawaiki, and received the endorsement of his lecturers who praised his commitment to study and helping others while raising a young child.