New Horizons for Women Trust — Hine Kahukura Awards

Education, research and specific purpose awards for wāhine, including two research awards specifically for wāhine Māori.

AotearoaWāhineMātaurangaRangahauWhānau

Closes: Opens annually in August and closed 25 August 2026. The next round opens August 2027
Who can apply: Eligible women applying to the relevant Education, Research or Personal Growth award
Whakapapa: No whakapapa requirement
Residency: Applicants must meet the relevant New Zealand award criteria
Study level: Vocational, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Masters, Doctoral, Professional
Subjects: All subjects, Research, Personal development
Amount: Varies by award. The Wāhine Ora research award is $10,000, with two available, and research awards generally run $5,000 to $10,000
Funding route: Scholarship
Applicants: Individuals & whānau, Tauira & researchers, Organisations & providers

Before you apply

The one to watch for is Wāhine Ora. It is co-funded with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga and supports research benefiting Māori women, girls and whānau. The project must be led by wāhine Māori. $10,000, and two are available.

The awards cycle opens annually in August and runs about five weeks. The 2027 round closed on 25 August 2026 and the next opens August 2027, so this is one to diarise in July rather than discover in September.

Three streams. Education awards for women continuing or returning to a tertiary qualification or trade training, with value set by the NZQA level you are studying at. Research awards. And specific purpose awards.

What they are looking for is stated plainly and it is not marks. The awards are aimed at women who have overcome challenges, persevered, and shown dedication in their journey to education. They say they are not looking for perfect grades but for determination and the potential to complete. Write to that.

Two rules that catch people. You cannot have previously received a New Horizons award at the level of study you are applying for. And school leavers are not eligible — you cannot be enrolled in secondary school when you apply.

Applications are online only. awards@newhorizonsforwomen.org.nz. Running for over 30 years.

Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga run other awards for wāhine Māori researchers and are worth a look alongside this.

Official source →

Checked 16 September 2026

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New Horizons for Women Trust — Hine Kahukura Awards

Before you apply

Others worth a look