Lizzy Myers

(Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa)

2016 recipient of the Sir Hugh Kawharu Auckland Museum Scholarship

Te rae o Kawharu

He kotuku rerenga tahi

The prominent brow of Kawharu

A rare white heron seen only once in a lifetime

Sir Hugh Kawharu was involved with the Auckland Museum’s governance for over 30 years and the architect of the Taumata-ā-Iwi, the legislated Māori advisory board to the Museum’s Trust Board.

The Sir Hugh Kawharu Scholarship is offered by the Kawharu Foundation in partnership with the Auckland Museum and its Ko Tawa Endowment, established in the mid-2000s by Sir Hugh and Professor Paora Tapsell.

The Scholarship comprises a grant of $10,000. In addition, the Foundation in partnership with the Museum may assist in arranging the appointment of an academic mentor for the duration of the candidate’s studies. It is anticipated that the candidate will undertake a research project which will form part of their university studies and contribute to completion of their degree.

The core objective of the Sir Hugh Kawharu Foundation is to support emerging Māori leadership. Previous recipients include:

  • Nikau Hindin (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) (tapa beating) (2014)

  • Ngahuia Murphy (PhD, mana wahine) (2015)

  • Lizzy Myers (PhD, marine ecology) (2016)

  • Kayreen Riana Tapuke (MSc, research award)

  • Tracy Maniapoto (PhD, te reo Māori revitalisation)

  • Elisha Rolleston (Master of Arts – Māori and Indigenous Studies, MSc Wintec) (2022)

Successful candidate 2016

Lizzy Myers

Listen to Lizzy chat with Jesse on her PHD, her scholarship and how life deep in the sea was analysed through museum specimens and real-world sea bound investigations.

Lizzy Myers - of Ngā Puhi and Te Rarawa - has been studying deep-sea fishes for her PhD in marine ecology.

Her research has taken her as far north as Rangitāhua/Kermedec Islands, and to the sub-Antarctic seas of the Auckland Islands.

In 2016 she was granted a $10,000 scholarship for students of Māori descent, created by the Kawharu Foundation and Auckland Museum - to go towards it.

Applications for the scholarship open each year. Please see the Auckland Museum Scholarship page.