(Picture caption: Toloa recipients are being recognised at three Toloa Awards ceremonies in Christchurch, pictured, Auckland and Wellington.)
A record number of Pacific students have been awarded scholarships to pursue careers and opportunities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Mathematics) subjects this year.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Barbara Edmonds says STEAM subjects are our future and by supporting the next generation to succeed in them, we are ensuring whole Pacific communities are enabled and empowered to thrive.
Through the Toloa initiative, 300 secondary and tertiary scholarships will be awarded to Pacific students, recognising their academic excellence and aspirations for the future.
“This is one of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ (MPP) most inclusive and diverse initiatives,” Minister Edmonds says.
“Over the past three years, we have awarded 642 scholarships to Pacific students with over half of these going to young women.
“The strength of Toloa continues to be seen in our alumni who have been supported to fully embrace their studies without the burden of balancing funds for their education.
“In doing so, we have seen them excel in architecture, biomedical science, information technology, psychology, veterinary science and engineering.”
Collaboration with partners who share our vision to see Pacific people flourish is also allowing us to deliver Toloa more effectively and to expand our reach, she adds.
“We have strengthened the initiative with new partnerships in the community, including PB Tech who will provide technology support and devices for the successful students.
“Recipients will also receive holistic wraparound services with the support of Le Va.”
Last year, the Toloa Secondary Schools Challenge – managed by Young Enterprise Scheme and Pacific provider VAKA – also made its debut.
A two-day problem-solving challenge, it saw Pacific students encouraged to innovate and embrace exploratory learning.
Minister Edmonds congratulates the intelligent and resilient 2023 Toloa cohort who are paving the way for many bright Pacific minds to follow.
“With the programme now in its eighth year, we are continuing to see it get bigger and better and I know this level of success will only continue to grow,” she says.
All recipients have been invited to attend the Toloa Award ceremonies held across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
A list of the 2023 Toloa Secondary and Tertiary Scholarship recipients and Toloa Contestable Fund recipients will be published on the MPP website following the award ceremonies.