Kahotea Outstanding Achievement Scholarship 2025

The Kahotea Outstanding Achievement Scholarship 2025-2026 at Victoria University of Wellington (Te Herenga Waka) recognizes exceptional school-leaver students who demonstrate outstanding academic results and significant contributions in culture, sports, community involvement, leadership, or equity. Valued at up to NZD 35,000 over three years, the scholarship supports students commencing their first undergraduate degree in 2025. It includes full accommodation costs in a university hall of residence for the first year (or a NZD 15,000 fees contribution for non-hall residents), NZD 5,000 toward tuition fees in the first and second years, and a NZD 5,000 stipend in the third year. Victoria University of Wellington, ranked 241 globally (QS World University Rankings 2025), enrolls over 22,000 students across its Kelburn, Pipitea, and Te Aro campuses, offering programs in Law, Humanities, Sciences, and more, with a 93% graduate employability rate (QS 2024). Recipients benefit from guaranteed hall placement and access to the university’s vibrant academic and cultural community.

To be eligible for the Kahotea Outstanding Achievement Scholarship 2025-2026, applicants must:

• Be applying for one of the following Victoria University of Wellington school-leaver scholarships: Tangiwai Excellence Scholarship, Totoweka Equity Scholarship, Raukaraka Leadership Scholarship, Pakohe Sustainability Scholarship, Mātātoa Sports Scholarship, Kahurangi Māori Student Scholarship, or Mana Pasifika Scholarship.

• Meet all criteria and regulations of at least one of these scholarships, which include:

  • Academic Excellence: NCEA Level 2 Certificate endorsed with Excellence from Year 12 (or equivalent, e.g., CIE with 230+ points over four subject units, predicted IB score of 34+). All scholarship offers are conditional on achieving NCEA Level 3 with Excellence endorsement (or equivalent) and University Entrance.

  • Specific Criteria: Depending on the scholarship, demonstrated achievements in leadership, sustainability, sports, Māori/Pasifika identity, or equity (e.g., financial hardship, disability).

• Be intending to enroll full-time (minimum 100 points/year) in their first undergraduate degree at Victoria University of Wellington in 2025.

• Be in Year 13 in 2024 or have completed Year 13 in 2023 and be taking a gap year in 2024.

• For international students: Have completed at least two full years (Year 12 and Year 13) at a New Zealand secondary school at the time of application.

• For Tangiwai Excellence Scholarship applicants: Provide a supporting reference from their school and complete the Academic and Extracurricular Achievements section of the application to be considered for Kahotea.

• Value: Up to NZD 35,000 over three years, structured as:

  • Year 1: Full accommodation costs at a Victoria University of Wellington hall of residence (valued at ~NZD 15,000–20,000, depending on hall) or NZD 15,000 tuition fees contribution (split across Years 1 and 2 for non-hall residents), plus NZD 5,000 toward tuition fees.

  • Year 2: NZD 5,000 toward tuition fees.

  • Year 3: NZD 5,000 stipend.

• Disbursement:

  • For hall residents: Accommodation costs paid in two instalments (February and July 2025) directly to the hall; tuition fees credited to the student’s fees account.

  • For non-hall residents: NZD 15,000 credited to tuition fees across Years 1 and 2, with the Year 3 stipend paid to the student’s bank account.

• Duration: Three years, conditional on maintaining full-time enrollment and a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 6 (B+ average) in Years 2 and 3.

• Additional Benefits:

  • Guaranteed place in a university hall of residence (if applied by the accommodation deadline, typically October 1, 2024).

  • Recognition as a Kahotea Scholar, enhancing academic and professional credentials.

  • Access to the university’s career services and Wellington Global Exchange program for international study opportunities.

  • Networking with a diverse student community and alumni network.

No separate application is required for the Kahotea Scholarship; eligible applicants are automatically considered when applying for a qualifying school-leaver scholarship. Follow these steps:

1. Apply for a Qualifying Scholarship:

   • Submit an application for one or more of the Tangiwai Excellence, Totoweka Equity, Raukaraka Leadership, Pakohe Sustainability, Mātātoa Sports, Kahurangi Māori, or Mana Pasifika Scholarships via the Victoria University of Wellington Scholarships Application Dashboard (wellingtonscholarships.communityforce.com) by September 2, 2024, 4:30 PM (NZST).

   • Required documents (specific to each scholarship):

     • Academic transcripts or NCEA Level 2 results (in English or with certified translations).

     • School reference (required for Tangiwai applicants seeking Kahotea consideration, and others like Totoweka, Raukaraka, etc.).

     • Personal statement (300–500 words) detailing academic achievements, extracurricular contributions (culture, sports, leadership, community, equity), and alignment with the chosen scholarship’s focus.

     • Evidence of specific achievements (e.g., leadership roles, sports awards, Māori/Pasifika heritage, sustainability projects, financial hardship).

     • Copy of passport (international students).

2. Apply for University Admission:

   • Submit an application for a bachelor’s degree via the university’s Pūaha online portal (www.wgtn.ac.nz/apply) by December 1, 2024, to secure an offer.

   • Meet University Entrance and program admission requirements, including NCEA Level 3 with Excellence endorsement (or equivalent, e.g., CIE 230+ points, IB 34+).

3. Apply for Accommodation (if applicable):

   • Submit an accommodation application via University Accommodation Wellington (www.wgtn.ac.nz/accommodation) by October 1, 2024, to secure a guaranteed hall place.

4. Evaluation: The Undergraduate Scholarship Committee assesses applications for qualifying scholarships based on:

   • Academic excellence (NCEA Level 2/3 Excellence, CIE 230+, IB 34+).

   • Extracurricular contributions in culture, sports, leadership, community, or equity.

   • Strength of school reference and personal statement.

   • The top applicants across all qualifying scholarships are selected for the Kahotea Scholarship.

5. Notification: Successful Kahotea recipients are notified via their university email or Pūaha account by October 2024, alongside their qualifying scholarship offer.

6. Accept and Enroll:

   • Accept the scholarship and program offer via the Scholarships Dashboard and Pūaha portal by the deadline in the offer letter (typically November 2024).

   • Enroll full-time and be onshore by February 2025 to activate the scholarship.

Note: International students must hold a valid New Zealand student visa (subclass 500) and be onshore by February 2025. Apply for a visa by November 2024 to allow 3–4 months for processing. Contact scholarships@wgtn.ac.nz for support. Late or incomplete applications (by September 2, 2024, 4:30 PM NZST) are not accepted.

• Completed application for a qualifying scholarship (Tangiwai, Totoweka, Raukaraka, Pakohe, Mātātoa, Kahurangi, or Mana Pasifika) via wellingtonscholarships.communityforce.com.

• Academic transcripts or NCEA Level 2 results (in English or with certified translations).

• School reference (mandatory for Tangiwai applicants seeking Kahotea; required for most other qualifying scholarships).

• Personal statement (300–500 words) detailing academic and extracurricular achievements.

• Evidence of specific achievements (e.g., leadership roles, sports awards, Māori/Pasifika heritage, sustainability projects, financial hardship documentation).

• Copy of passport (international students).

• Note: Documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations. Submit via the Scholarships Dashboard by September 2, 2024, 4:30 PM (NZST). Incomplete applications are ineligible.

• Scholarship Application Deadline: September 2, 2024, 4:30 PM (NZST) for qualifying scholarships.

• Accommodation Application Deadline: October 1, 2024 (for guaranteed hall placement).

• Program Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 (for Semester 1, 2025 admission).

• Notification: By October 2024.

• Acceptance Deadline: As specified in the offer letter (typically November 2024).

• Enrollment Deadline: February 2025 for Semester 1, 2025.

• OSHC Deadline: Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover by February 1, 2025, for international students.

• Note: The September 2, 2024, deadline is strict; verify at www.wgtn.ac.nz/scholarships or contact scholarships@wgtn.ac.nz. Early application by July 2024 is recommended for international students due to visa processing.

• Email: scholarships@wgtn.ac.nz (Scholarships Office); international@wgtn.ac.nz (International Office).

• Phone: +64 4 463 5113 (Scholarships Office, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM NZST, Monday–Friday).

• Address: Scholarships Office, HU120, Hunter Building, Kelburn Parade, Wellington 6012, New Zealand.

• Website: www.wgtn.ac.nz