Maewa is Canada bound

Tu Tangata, Issue 19, 1 August 1984, Page 17

Maewa is Canada bound

Janey Wilson

For 16 year old Maewa Kaihau of Otaki, 1984 has brought change and challenges that she is looking forward to meeting.

Maewa of Ngati Rauakawa and Waikato descent is a sixth form student of Otaki and one of four New Zealand students to receive a 1984 United World Scholarship.

The scholarship runs for two years and she will be attending the Lester B. Pearson World College in Vancouver Island Canada. With the colleges academic year beginning in September Maewa will have already completed nearly a full years study in New Zealand, and since hearing the news of successful application she is ‘finding it a bit hard to get into school work.’

UWC Scholarships are granted to students with above average academic ability, they are also chosen by their service and involvement in the community.

Maewa’s initial application for UWS Scholarship was forwarded by her school, from there two interviews were held, one with the regional committee and finally with the National Selection Committee in Wellington.

The Lester B. Pearson College has a role of 200 students from 50 different countries and the aim of the college is to ‘produce involved, active educated citizens whose attitudes of under-

standing will be a force against bigotry and hatred in the world.’ The Lester B. is one of the six colleges around the world promoting the aims of International Education. For Maewa the main benefit will be learning about and understanding people from different cultures. ‘lt will be hard work but very interesting in the community schemes I will be involved with, the learning of new languages and mixing with other UWC students.’ On passing examinations United World College students are awarded The International Baccalureate diploma, which is the equivalent to New Zealand’s University Entrance exam

and an /A Bursary pass, so the academic programme is a very demanding one. The students are also encouraged to get involved in all aspects of the college life.

Maewa has definite plans to go onto university after the completion of her scholarship, and would like to study chemistry which is her favourite subject. She would eventually like to use her knowledge in helping developing pacific countries.

Maewa is the 2nd daughter that Ropata and Tungia Kaihau are losing to overseas study this year. Their oldest daughter, Hinetu travelled to America in July on the AFS programme. Both of the girls agree that their success is due to their parents encouragement and support to succeed in the education system.

‘The girls departure will leave a definite gap in our family, but under the circumstances we’re quite happy with them leaving. And with one more child to see through school, the adjustment will be a lot easier’ said Tungia.

A visit to the Level One Maori Language course in Wellington earlier in May proved fruitful for both girls. They were given Te Rakau language tapes to take to their adopted countries. Maewa would like to take up maori studies on her return home to varsity, she is also looking forward to meeting the other maori student Tama Vercoe who is currently at the Lester B. Pearson College. With his grandmother from Otaki they have more than one thing in common.