About the Foundation

The Sir Hugh Kawharu Foundation is a charitable trust that provides scholarships and awards to Māori students and scholars who aspire to leadership.

The Foundation's vision is to advance and support Māori leadership and achievement. Strong leadership is always needed to maximize opportunities and reduce inequalities. We think Māori achievers who aspire to leadership should be supported and celebrated. Treaty settlements promote development across the economic, social, cultural and political landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand. Even so, the urgent need to address the ongoing negative statistics in health, education and criminal justice remains. Global challenges of climate change and environmental degradation have the potential to devastate communities and likewise demand urgent responses.

Sir Hugh Kawharu c. 1990

Sir Hugh Kawharu attained the highest levels of education, nationally and internationally, and put his knowledge and skills to good use for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The Foundation is a fitting legacy to Sir Hugh, and his immense contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand throughout his life.

Our Activities

The Foundation awards graduate and post-graduate scholarships across a range of fields. The Foundation also sponsors a writing award and, occasionally, sponsors participation in leadership programmes.

Trustees and Patron

The trustees of the Sir Kawharu Foundation are:

  • Stephen Freundlich

  • Amokura Kawharu (chair)

  • Marama Muru-Lanning

  • Paul Tapsell

Each trustee brings to the Foundation their wide experience in tertiary education, supporting Māori initiatives, commerce, and/or trusteeship. Sir Mason Durie is the Foundation's patron. The founding trustees were Sir Paul Reeves (chair), Sir Mason Durie, Sir John Hood, Amokura Kawharu and Lyndy Sainsbury. Former trustees also include Malcolm Paterson and James Mace.