The Whātua Hihiko Scholarship
For Māori rangatahi ready to shape the future of technology in Aotearoa.
Applications open 2nd – 15th July 2026
“Growing pathways for Māori in technology, for the benefit of Aotearoa.”
The purpose
To ensure Māori are not just participants in the future economy, but designers of it.
Technology is reshaping society - and without action, it risks widening inequality. This scholarship invests in those best placed to rebalance that future.
Is this for you?
If you're Māori rangatahi of Ngāti Whātua descent aged 18–25, living between Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland and Whangārei, and drawn to technology, innovation or building something of your own - this is for you.
Still at school in your final year?
Studying?
Working?
Deep in a venture?
Still finding your path?
All of it counts. You don't need a polished CV or a perfect plan. You need a direction, a reason, and the people you carry with you.
Why we've come together
This scholarship was proposed by Renata Blair of Ngāti Whātua and is delivered in partnership with Revved, co-founded by Rochelle Moffitt and Anna Mowbray.
Ngāti Whātua and Revved have come together around one thing: backing Māori rangatahi in technology - with funding, mentorship, and a network - so the talent that's already here has what it needs to go further.
It is built as an exchange. You are backed fully, and in time you give back - sharing what you learn, supporting the rangatahi who come after you - as part of a growing alumni whānau. It is not a one-off grant; it is the start of a long relationship, grounded in both capability and Community.
The scholarship carries a name gifted by Ngāti Whātua. It is a taonga in itself.
What we're looking for
Māori rangatahi with a demonstrated interest or early pathway in technology, innovation or Entrepreneurship - and a clear commitment to whānau and community.
You don't need a finished plan or a perfect CV. The skills and the connections can come later. What matters is your ambition, your attitude, and that you carry your people with you.
This is about ensuring Māori are not just participants in the future economy, but designers of it.
Whātua Hihiko Powering Up
The Whātua Hihiko Scholarship
Supported by Revved.
ENGLISH MEANING - waiting on it.
What this actually means for you
This is a year of real support, and a network that stays with you well beyond it.
A mentor matched to where you're heading. Introductions to people who can help with your goals - an investor, a founder, someone at a company you'd love to work for, a leader in your field.
A place at the Revved 2026 Summit, in a room full of people building and leading across Aotearoa - where you're hosted, looked after, and introduced, so you're never on your own.
A platform to share your story in your own words. And an alumni whānau you stay part of for the long term.
It's support for where you're already heading - and a way to carry your whānau and community with you as you go.
What You’ll Receive
$2,000 of support toward your study, training, equipment or venture - held and administered by Ngāti Whātua so it's there when you need it, for the things that move you forward
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Mentorship built around you. A main mentor matched to your path, online and in person across the year - plus other meetings that fit where you're heading. A founder, an investor, a leader inside a global company, or the person doing the exact job you want. Whatever your ambition - building a venture, landing a role at one of the world's best companies, leading in your field - the introductions point at it
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A hosted place at the Revved 2026 Summit (6 August, Viaduct Events Centre,Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland) - welcomed, hosted and introduced, with people alongside you to make the connections that matter. We design the day around you, including timing, travel and support, so you can focus on the experience.
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Your page in the Revved Drivers Book - a printed directory of everyone in the room, at every seat at the Summit. Your story among the people building and leading across Aotearoa
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A platform for your story. Profiled through Revved's channels with a social media team helping you track and tell your journey - always your story, told your way, with your consent
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Revved Assembly - ongoing access to Revved's online community of members, plus Revved events and opportunities throughout the year
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An alumni whānau. This doesn't end after a year. You stay connected, keep getting backed, and in time help lift the rangatahi who come after you.
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What it asks of you (the time)
We want you to know what you're saying yes to.
This is designed around you and tailored to your life - we'll work timing, travel and format with you, not against you. Broadly: regular contact with your mentor across the year (often monthly, online or in person, flexed to suit you), attending the Revved Summit on 6 August in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, and the occasional event or introduction as opportunities come up.
Some of it is a few hours a month; some is a single big day. We shape it together so it fits your study, work or business - never the other way around.
What we ask of you
Show up for it.
Engage with your mentor and the opportunities, come to the Summit, and - in time - give back to your community and the rangatahi who follow you.
That's the exchange, and it's the whole idea.
Who can apply
Māori rangatahi of Ngāti Whātua descent aged 18–25, living between Auckland and Whangārei, with an interest or early pathway in technology, innovation or entrepreneurship, and a genuine commitment to whānau and community.
Still at school, studying, working, building, or exploring - all of it counts.
We're looking for attitude and ambition above all.
How to apply
One application: a short form, plus four questions - answer in writing (up to 300 words each) or in one video (up to 4 minutes, covering all four). Your choice; both are weighted equally. A video filmed on your phone is absolutely fine. We score what you say and who you are, not how flash it looks.
Applications welcomed in te reo Māori or English.
Where are you heading?
- your vision for your pathway
Who's with you?
- your whānau and community, and how you show up for them
What have you already done?
- anything you've built, studied, tried or started
Why does this matter?
- to you, your whānau, and Aotearoa
Want a hand with your entry?
Get in touch by Monday 13th July and someone from The Whātua Hihiko Scholarship, supported by the Revved team, will contact you to talk through the questions, your story, or just to back you to enter.
We want rangatahi to be able to apply, however they communicate best. Answer in writing or by video. If you have a disability or access need - anything that would make applying easier - tell us in the form or get in touch, and we will work with you to make it happen. No one should miss out because of how the form is built.
Key dates
Applications open: 2nd July 2026
Applications close: 11:59pm, Wednesday 15 July 2026
Recipients notified: from Friday 17th July (confidentially)
Recipients announced: late July, via Revved and Ngāti Whātua channels
Recipients attend the Revved 2026 Summit: 6 August 2026, Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
Mentorship begins: from August 2026, once mentors are matched
Judging Panel
Renata Blair
CEO,
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua
Mat Rowe
Founder & Executive Director,
Outset VenturesFounder, Decibel
Co-Founder, Revved and KIN InternationalRochelle Moffitt
Frequently Asked Questions
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Either, your choice, weighted exactly the same.
Written: up to 300 words per question.
Video: one video up to 4 minutes covering all four questions. Pick whichever lets you be most yourself. -
Be specific and be yourself. Real examples beat big statements: the thing you built, the person you helped, the problem you can't stop thinking about. Plain words in your own voice. You don't need to sound like anyone else.
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Yes. All of it counts.
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No. A phone, decent light, and your real voice is all it takes.
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Yes. The Summit on 6 August, 2026 in Auckland is a centrepiece of the scholarship and we will work with you to make it possible.
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Six runner-up Ngāti Whātua rangatahi will also be invited to attend the Summit as our guests, with their own place in the Revved Drivers Book.
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Only to run the scholarship. Nothing is published about you without your consent.
[Link: privacy statement] - I have this and will send it over. -
The judging panel; decisions are final.
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Tell us in the form or contact us; we'll make it work.
Founding Partners
Year one is fully funded at its core, with founding partners growing what is possible — this year and beyond.
