Ngāti Whātua launches new leadership initiative to grow Māori technology talent
Ngāti Whātua is launching a new leadership initiative aimed at helping more Māori rangatahi become the innovators, entrepreneurs and technology leaders who will help shape New Zealand's future.
The scholarship, Whātua Whitawhita (Powering Up), has been developed in partnership with Revved, whose founders embraced the concept and committed to helping establish and grow it into a long-term programme.
The inaugural scholarship will support Māori aged 18 to 25 pursuing pathways in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship through funding, mentoring, industry connections and leadership development.
Ngāti Whātua CEO Renata Blair says Whātua Whitawhita represents a broader vision of investing in future generations.
"This scholarship is about much more than helping two young people. It reflects our belief that if New Zealand wants to build a stronger future, we need to invest deliberately in the people who will create it.
Technology is the first area we've chosen to focus on because it will shape almost every aspect of our economy and our communities over the coming decades. We want Māori rangatahi to see themselves not simply as users of technology, but as the people designing it, building it and leading it.
We spend a lot of time talking about the future of technology, productivity and economic growth. We spend less time asking who will help build that future. For Ngāti Whātua, investing in our rangatahi is one of the most important investments we can make. This is about creating pathways into industries that will define New Zealand's future.”
Blair says technology is simply the starting point.
"This year is our foundation year. We want to learn, build and extend it into something that becomes much bigger over time. Our ambition is to create an enduring programme that supports young leaders and builds stronger communities for generations to come."
Revved founder Rochelle Moffitt says the proposal aligned perfectly with Revved's purpose.
“When Renata shared this vision with us, we immediately wanted to be part of it. Revved exists to bring together people who want to move New Zealand forward. Supporting Whātua Whitawhita allows us to turn those conversations into action.
We're incredibly proud to stand alongside Ngāti Whātua in what we believe will become an important and enduring initiative. Our role is to provide the platform, the networks and the connections that help these young leaders accelerate their journey. “
The inaugural programme will provide up to two scholarship recipients with financial support for study, training, equipment or venture development, together with mentoring from industry and iwi leaders, introductions to entrepreneurs and investors, and a place at the Revved 2026 Summit on 6 August, where they will join more than 800 business, innovation and community leaders.
Up to six additional finalists will also attend the Summit and become part of the inaugural Whātua Whitawhita cohort.
Both organisations hope the programme will grow over time through support from businesses, investors and organisations committed to building New Zealand's future leadership capability and a growing alumni community that gives back to future recipients.
Applications are now open to Māori Ngāti Whatua rangatahi aged 18 to 25 with an interest or emerging pathway in technology, innovation or entrepreneurship. For more information, please visit: https://www.revved.events/whatua-whitawhita-scholarship
Applications close on Wednesday 15 July at midnight with recipients announced later in July ahead of the Revved Summit.