BDO Sir Henare Ngata Scholarship

“Kotahi te kakano, he nui nga hua o te rakau” “A tree comes from one seed but bears many fruit”

We’re delighted to announce our new BDO Sir Henare Ngata Scholarship for Maori accountant students heading into their final year of study.

Sir Henare Ngata is noted as being the first Maori chartered accountant. He paved the way for all Maori accountants that would follow, a trailblazer who epitomised hard work and dedication to the wellbeing of Maori, using accounting as a tool for advocacy. After returning from serving in the 28th Maori Battalion during World War II, he moved away from home to gain his qualification. Upon completion he returned home and made the bold move setting up his own practice in Gisborne. In later years this was sold, and over time, eventually became the BDO Gisborne practice.

Sir Henare Ngata worked tirelessly serving the needs of Maori, following in his father's footsteps. His father, Sir Apirana Ngata, is widely known as being the first Maori to obtain a university degree, as well as for his contribution to politics and his work in protecting Maori culture, language and Maori wellbeing.

In honour of Sir Henare Ngata, we're providing national scholarships to three talented Maori students in their pursuit to become accountants, while in their final year of study.

Maori are significantly under-represented in the accounting profession, making up around 2% of accountants in Aotearoa – despite making up 16.5% of our national population (2018 census). Scholarships and internships will further accounting careers for successful applicants and hopefully increase the number of Maori who choose a career in accounting, empowering them to become future leaders and shaping the direction of the Maori business sector.

“Te manu e kai ana I te miro, nona te ngahere; te manu e kai nana I te matauranga nona te ao” “The bird that feeds on the miro berry, theirs is the forest; the bird that feeds on knowledge, theirs is the world”