Skip to content

Toloa Tertiary Scholarships (STEAM)

Toloa Tertiary Scholarships (STEAM)

2024 Toloa scholarship update

Congratulations to all 2024 Toloa scholarship recipients who have been notified.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was a delay in the launch of the scholarship this year. This has impacted on the timeline for informing applicants, schools and tertiary institutions. This also included information on contracts and invoicing.  We are pleased to note that all have now been contacted.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

About the scholarships

The Toloa Tertiary Scholarships aim to inspire and support Pacific students in their engagement with STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths.

Toloa’s Vision is to make a transformational impact in the communities we live in.

Toloa Scholarships support Pacific students to pursue studies in STEAM.

Toloa supports Pacific Peoples in STEAM pathways over a whole-of-life approach from ECE, primary, intermediate, secondary, tertiary through to the workforce.

Now in its eighth year, the Toloa funds are achieving the goal of helping tertiary students to cover their tuition fees and compulsory course related fees.

The Toloa Tertiary Scholarship package includes tertiary tuition fees, compulsory course related fees up to the value of $10,000, for 1 year of fulltime study for STEAM-related tertiary courses and subjects. 

Toloa scholarships are also available for secondary students.

View last year's list of recipients below.

If you have any questions about the scholarships, please check out our Tertiary Scholarship FAQs or email [email protected].

STEAM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths subjects. STEAM skills and knowledge are not new to Pacific people.

The Toloa programme champions that Pacific peoples come from a lineage of navigators, explorers, innovators, and experts in STEAM. STEAM skills are adaptable in a vast ocean of career pathways and opportunities.

We acknowledge there are different interpretations and understandings of defining ‘A’ in STEAM, it’s important to note that the Ministry for Pacific Peoples offers a unique perspective when defining ‘A’ in STEAM, which is presented through a Pacific perspective.

Defining ‘A’ in STEAM through a Pacific lens

  • The incorporation of ‘A’ reflects the blending of Pacific arts, knowledge, and creative approaches with scientific knowledge in technical contexts.
  • ‘A’ in STEAM encapsulates Pacific cultural knowledge and expresses creativity and its connection to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
  • ‘A’ is the intertwining and weaving together of Pacific creativity and traditions with the exploration of the natural world across different subjects. It’s also about nurturing and growing your creative skills along your STEAM journey.

STEAM in Tertiary study

For our Toloa Tertiary Scholarships, the priority of Focus STEAM Specialties include Engineering, Architecture, Surveying, Spatial Science, Business and Systems Analysts, Software Programming and Multimedia.

For guidance on securing financial and tech support, as well as exploring STEAM career pathways, read our Toloa Scholarship User-Guidelines below. 

Toloa Secondary and Tertiary Scholarship User-Guidelines

Applications for the 2024 Toloa Tertiary Scholarship Fund have now closed. The closing date was Monday 30 October 2023. 

If you are looking at applying for MPP funding, check out the Applying for MPP funding: How To Guide.

The Toloa Tertiary Scholarship package includes:

  • Tertiary tuition fees, compulsory course-related fees up to the value of $10,000 for 1 year of fulltime study for STEAM-related courses and subjects.
  • Toloa alumni programme – access to STEAM networks, mentors, employers.

An invoice from your Tertiary Provider will be required for your course of study, and funds will be paid directly to your tertiary provider.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Demonstrate commitment to Pacific language and/or culture.
  • Have completed the equivalent of 1-year full time study at a tertiary or vocational provider
  • Be enrolling in the second year or higher of a STEAM related course in 2023 (first year tertiary students are already financially supported by the government's First Year Free Fees Scheme)
  • Provide proof of academic record showing B+ average GPA.
  • Hold New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency. 
  • Provide two signed letters of support by two independent referees. These can be an academic mentor, a Pacific Liaison Officer or senior academic referee aligned to your current course of study, plus someone to provide a character reference such as a Pacific Liaison Officer, a senior community member, youth minister, counsellor, sports coach or other mentor. (Referees cannot be friends or family members). In their letters, your referees need to validate the ways in which you are an ideal candidate for a Toloa scholarship.

Applications for 2024 scholarships have now closed. Here are the steps you needed to know:

  1. Register an account on our funding application portal
  2. Select the 'open funding rounds' in the top menu.
  3. Select the Toloa scholarship year level you would like to apply for and fill in an application.

Applying for MPP funding: How To Guide

Toloa Tertiary Scholarships are not available for:

  • Costs associated with accommodation
  • Course related costs such as equipment or transport
  • Students that are not enrolled in a formal New Zealand tertiary institution or approved vocational training provider
  • Students that are not enrolled in STEAM subjects
  • Travel expenses locally, nationally, and internationally
  • For-profit activities
  • Initiatives that are not aligned with the priorities of this scholarship fund
  • Programmes and activities delivered overseas, including the NZ realm countries
  • Wages, salaries, infrastructure, fixed assets and capital expenditure
  • Debt repayment or debt servicing. 

If you are enrolled in STEAM subjects at a New Zealand secondary school, please apply for the Toloa Secondary School Scholarships instead.

If you need more information about the Toloa Tertiary Scholarships, email [email protected]

Got a question? Check out our FAQs for Toloa Tertiary scholarships

Funding recipients

Below are recipients of the Toloa Tertiary Scholarships for 2023 (for applications closed in 2022):

Name

Tertiary Institution

Ania Singsam

Massey University

Ben Iosefo Matai Salisbury

University of Otago

Boston Tofa

University of Auckland

Canaan Schwalger-Setefano

University of Auckland

Celestial Brown

University of Auckland

Chardel Estee Aiolupotea

University of Auckland

Crystal Fa’asolo

University of Auckland

Danielle Lepa

University of Auckland

Danika Thompson

University of Auckland

David Sisitoutai

University of Auckland

Elsie Polosovai

University of Otago

Eric Leiataua

University of Otago

Erieteta Fiti Riyaz

Manukau Institute of Technology

Esmerelda Lo Tam

University of Auckland

Fereni Peti

University of Auckland

Funaki Tiofilusi Haunga

Manukau Institute of Technology

Isara Nua

University of Auckland

Jackira-Ioane Ngatamariki

Waikato Institution of Technology

Jayda Matara

University of Otago

Jesse Vikiani Teumohenga

Victoria University of Wellington

Jessicca Eva Usu

University of Waikato

Julia Imo

University of Auckland

Juliet Fakahau

University of Otago

Kasanita Fifita

Victoria University of Wellington

Kheelan ThompSon-Tonga

University of Otago

Lanuola Anna Nicolina Jeffries

Eastern Institute of Technology

Logan Hoani Fenton

University of Auckland

Lufilufi Afaese Lene

University of Canterbury

Maia Dean

University of Otago

Marcellin Seehoy Jerimiah Chan Mow

University of Auckland

Marlene Aliitasi Sua

Victoria University of Wellington

Mia Uluilelata

University of Canterbury

Micheal Taylor

University of Canterbury

Paige Leota

Victoria University of Wellington

Patricia Puni

Ara Institute of Canterbury

Pualani Brunt

AUT - Auckland University of Technology

Reece Talopau

University of Auckland

Samiuela Vaea

University of Auckland

Sarah McLeod-Venu

Victoria University of Wellington

Selina Ripley

University of Canterbury

Shauna Glassie-Ryan

Massey University

Sinaitakala Langi

University of Canterbury

Siosi'ana Emily Narawa

University of Otago

Tala'ofalefa Kefu

University of Otago

Tara Evile

University of Auckland

Toaitiiti Angelique Apineru

University of Auckland

To'oa Brown

University of Otago

Tuamu Maka

AUT - Auckland University of Technology

Uinita Tapaatoutai

Ara Institute of Canterbury

William Mackenzie

Victoria University of Wellington

Below are recipients of the Toloa Tertiary Scholarships for 2022 (for applications closed in 2021):

Adi Banuve

A.Levy

University of Auckland

Aisake

Tafea

University of Auckland

Anthea

Adam

University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau

Aysia

Saolele

Victoria University of Wellington

Barney

Ah Sam

Auckland University of Technology

Ben Iosefo Matai

Salisbury

University of Otago

Brodie

Tou

University of Canterbury

Bwenaua

Biiri

University of Otago

Canaan

SETEFANO

University of Auckland

Carmel

ADAM

Yoobee Colleges

Damian

Samuel

Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT)

Danika

Thompson

University of Auckland

Deborah

Ma'u

University of Otago

Elizabeth

Arrowsmith

University of Auckland

Elsie

Polosovai

University of Otago

Ema

Tuakoi

The University of Auckland

Fa'atonu

Fa'afili

University of Auckland

Grace

THOMPSON

University of Auckland

Grace

Ratima

University of Waikato

Grant

G.Fale

Waikato University

Heamasi

Vaioleti

University of Auckland

Inosi Matbuileka

Ravuvu

Auckland University of Technology

Iokopeta

Tobeck

Otago University

Jimmy

Ma’ia’i

Unitec Institute of Technology - Mt Albert

Johanna

Setefano

University of Otago

Kaline

Masitabua

Victoria University of Wellington

Lanuola Anna

L.Jeffries

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawkes Bay Campus

Lily Kate Mabel

Fisher

University of Auckland

Logan

Fenton

University of Auckland

Margret Aisa

Mage

University of Waikato

Marlene Aliitasi (Tasi)

Sua

Victoria University

Mena

Vaimasenuu Welford

University of Auckland

Michael

Vaeono

Univeristy of Auckland

Naomi-Leigh

Tare-Jones

University of Waikato

Nelson

Ah Hoi

Weltec, Petone Campus, Wellington

Nemani

Saravaki

Southern Institute of Technology

Piper

Mortimer

University of Canterbury

Poe Tiare

Ruhe- Apolo

Victoria University of Wellington

Pualaga

Tuaiaufai

University of Waikato

Richard

Bedford

University of Canterbury

Rosa

Flood

The University of Waikato

Seila (Natu)

Vaeluaga

Victoria University

Selina

Ripley

University of Canterbury

Shauna

Glassie-Ryan

Massey University

Solomon

Fifita

University of Auckland

Solomone

Fanamanu

University of Auckland

Susan Maluotaitaeao

S.Pita

Massey University

Taniela

Vaipulu

Auckland University of Technology

Tyler

Flanagan

University of Auckland

Uaita

Poutu

University of Otago

Yolanda

Filipo-Bellamy

Ara