Applications are now being accepted for the Hiwinui Heke Scholarships.
In partnership with the Māori Pharmacists’ Association, Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa (MPA) and PHARMAC, this scholarship was established to support the education of Māori pharmacy students studying toward their Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, and to promote pharmacy as a career.
We encourage you to apply for this scholarship – if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Pauline Te Karu at admin@mpa.maori.nz.
For information regarding the scholarship application, please click on the Pharmac website link below:
https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/about/what-we-do/scholarships
Applications close 31st October 2025.
The scholarship is named in honour of Hiwinui Heke MPS (1930–2014). Born at Ranana, Te Ngae, Rotorua in 1930 Matua Heke had iwi affiliations throughout Te Arawa. Educated in Rotorua, Hiwinui took up an apprenticeship with Hiskins Pharmacy in Taumarunui and enrolled at the Pharmacy College, Wellington (Cambridge Terrace). He qualified, becoming a member of the NZ Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) in 1955, the first Māori to do so. Matua Heke’s endurance, patience and pharmaceutical longevity, along with his leadership of Māori in the profession, inspired many.
The establishment of the Hiwinui Heke scholarships in 2008 was a tribute to Matua Hiwinui’s inspiration and dedication to pharmacy. These scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding Māori pharmacy students. In applying for this scholarship you will be picking up the mantle of Matua Hiwinui.
