Education That Empowers Māori & Pasifika Students
Whāia te mātauranga, tū rangatira – Pursue knowledge, lead with impact.
Founded in 2017, the Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholarship was created to remove barriers Māori and Pasifika students face when competing for the world’s most selective universities. Each year, five scholars receive expert mentoring, academic support, and personalised admissions guidance—building leadership, cultural confidence, and pathways to universities including Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Duke, and Amherst. Beyond university entry, scholars develop the skills, voice, and confidence to lead in their communities and make a meaningful global impact while staying grounded in culture and identity.
Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholar Successes
Changing Lives Through Education
Accepted to
Harvard, Co ’23
Sam. T
Government & Economics
“"I was so lucky to win that scholarship. Not just because I know I was one of the many talented young Māori students who were incredibly deserving...”
“"I was so lucky to win that scholarship. Not just because I know I was one of the many talented young Māori students who were incredibly deserving...”
Sam. T
Accepted to
Duke, Co ’26
J'adore. H
Psychology
“America is my first choice and I still dream of becoming a psychiatrist. The liberal arts education in the US will allow me to explore other interest areas too... the support I have received from my Crimson Education team has been priceless.”
“America is my first choice and I still dream of becoming a psychiatrist. The liberal arts education in the US will allow me to explore other interest areas too... the support I have received from my Crimson Education team has been priceless.”
J'adore. H
Accepted to
Harvard, Co ’27
Koan. H
Neuroscience
“Give it as much forethought as you can. I didn't understand the magnitude, work ethic and how busy it'd be. Crimson has shown me a path and now I have to walk it.”
“Give it as much forethought as you can. I didn't understand the magnitude, work ethic and how busy it'd be. Crimson has shown me a path and now I have to walk it.”
Koan. H
Accepted to
Columbia, Co’29
Tai. R
Political Science & Economics
“Being the sole Māori representative at Columbia so far and being faced with such an awesome opportunity is really great to have the chance to share my story and hopefully keep the door open for a few more Māori students to follow after me.”
“Being the sole Māori representative at Columbia so far and being faced with such an awesome opportunity is really great to have the chance to share my story and hopefully keep the door open for a few more Māori students to follow after me.”
Tai. R
Accepted to
Amherst, Co’29
Erini. F
Film & Media
“My goal is to inspire other young Māori and Pasifika students to aim for a higher education and seek opportunities that may otherwise seem impossible..... I'm sure collectively our goal is to give back to our country.”
“My goal is to inspire other young Māori and Pasifika students to aim for a higher education and seek opportunities that may otherwise seem impossible..... I'm sure collectively our goal is to give back to our country.”
Erini. F
Accepted to
Duke, Co’29
M'Lago. M
Public Policy & Theatre
“This scholarship will help achieve greatness for myself, my country and my people. It feels like a door has opened and that my dreams are actually achievable. A pathway has opened up and I can follow my dreams.”
“This scholarship will help achieve greatness for myself, my country and my people. It feels like a door has opened and that my dreams are actually achievable. A pathway has opened up and I can follow my dreams.”
M'Lago. M
Accepted to
Harvard, Co’29
Jared. L
Biology & Public Health
“This scholarship is a stepping stone for me to start my journey of change and reform. The health sector must change, and it must change in the way that some education sectors have changed.”
“This scholarship is a stepping stone for me to start my journey of change and reform. The health sector must change, and it must change in the way that some education sectors have changed.”
Jared. L
Accepted to
Yale, Co’30
Aidan. H
Undecided
“This education will allow me to make a true difference for Ngā Tāngata o Te Ao Katoa [the people of the Entire World], to maybe make the world a better place.”
“This education will allow me to make a true difference for Ngā Tāngata o Te Ao Katoa [the people of the Entire World], to maybe make the world a better place.”
Aidan. H
Accepted to
Columbia, Co’30
Arki. H
Sociology & Business Management
“This scholarship isn't just a financial award; it's a validation of my potential and a call to action. I want to use this opportunity to gain the skills needed to advocate for my people and ensure our voices are heard on the global stage.”
“This scholarship isn't just a financial award; it's a validation of my potential and a call to action. I want to use this opportunity to gain the skills needed to advocate for my people and ensure our voices are heard on the global stage.”
Arki. H
Te Ara A Kupe Beaton Scholars In The News
The Guru Who Says He Can Get Your 11-Year-Old Into Harvard
Wall Street Journal, Oct. 15 2024
Māori and Pasifika identity sets Rotorua Boys’ High students apart on Ivy League app...
NZ Herald, 20 Jul. 2025
Ivy League Schools Come Calling Rotorua Teen First Princeton Now Harvard
Stuff, 2 April, 2025
Four young Māori earn scholarships for ivy league education.
NZ Herald, 17 Jun. 2024
Whangārei thespian M’lago Morris hopes to make his mark with help of Te Ara a Kupe.....
NZ Herald, May. 25 Jun, 2024
Rotorua student to study medicine at Harvard
Te Karere TVNZ, Jan 9, 2023
Tū Rangatira
A pathway to lead with purpose, confidence, and impact. Māori and Pasifika students bring leadership, perspective, and lived experience that top universities seek—yet access to specialised guidance remains unequal. Te Ara a Kupe Beaton exists to change that. Through expert support, the scholarship empowers students to compete globally while honouring culture, whānau, and community.
Compete for admission to the world’s top universities
Develop leadership rooted in culture and community
Build confidence as a communicator and changemaker
Access mentorship that unlocks global opportunities
What’s Included in Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholarship
Top universities value students with strong academics, leadership, and distinctive profiles. This scholarship shows you how to bring all three together.
01
Targeted University Admissions Strategy
A personalised roadmap combining extracurriculars, research, competitions, and academic mentorship, plus coaching on essays, interviews, and leadership to create a standout university application.
02
Academic Mentorship & Tutoring
Expert guidance to maximise results across NCEA, IB, A-Levels, and AP courses, building strong academic foundations that prepare you for the world’s top universities.
03
Leadership & Career Development
Coaching to develop leadership skills, community impact, communication, and early-stage career planning—helping you grow as a confident, culturally grounded leader.
04
Specialist Pathway Support
Targeted preparation for specialised fields, including medicine pathways like MedView & UCAT. Students work with personalised mentors from accomplished leaders across academic and professional fields.
What Our Scholars Experience
The Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholarship opens doors to world-class education and life-changing opportunities for Māori and Pasifika students.
Global University Acceptance
Our scholars have the opportunity to apply for and study at top universities in the US, UK and beyond, joining a network of ambitious, high-achieving peers.
Leadership With Impact
Develop confidence, leadership skills, and cultural pride to make a meaningful difference locally and globally, representing Māori and Pasifika on the world stage.
Academic & Career Growth
Experience challenging courses, research, and transformative learning environments while building networks, internships, and future career pathways worldwide.
Proven Pathways to Top Universities
Te Ara a Kupe Beaton scholars are prepared to succeed on the world stage.
By advancing their academic profiles and earning offers from leading institutions, including Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Duke, Princeton, and Amherst, our students stand with their global peers. This success reflects not just academic excellence, but clarity of purpose, leadership development, and culturally grounded ambition.
“Receiving this scholarship has been a truly humbling experience. Having the chance to represent my culture and community on the world stage is surreal. The support we've received from our communities and peers has made me deeply thankful for this opportunity, and I feel honoured to carry this responsibility.”
Jared L. RBHS recipient in 2025. Accepted into Harvard & Princeton, Class of 2030.
Apply for the Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholarship
Join a select group of Māori and Pasifika students empowered to compete for the world’s top universities.
The Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholarship is awarded to five exceptional Māori and Pasifika students each year. Recipients receive up to NZD 25,000 in Crimson services each, including academic and extracurricular mentoring, leadership development, and personalised admissions support—building a competitive path to top universities while staying connected to culture and community.
Creating Equity & Opportunity
Targeted support designed to close opportunity gaps and open doors to world-class universities.
Pathway to Top Universities
Step-by-step guidance to elevate your academic and extracurricular profile from strong to exceptional.
World-Class Mentorship
Learn from experts who have helped students gain admission to the world’s most competitive universities.
Cultural Strength for Global Impact
Leverage your education to succeed globally while staying connected to your identity, values, and whakapapa.
Fill out this form to register your interest.
We will send you a link to the application form.
Who Should Apply?
“The scholarship will allow young Māori to honour the spirit of Kupe and forge new pathways.”
Shay Wright - Internationally recognised indigenous social entrepreneur
Te Ara a Kupe Beaton students don’t just apply to top schools. They get in.
This scholarship is for exceptional Māori and Pasifika students who are ambitious, driven, and determined to pursue study at the world’s top universities.
Are You Ready to Become Tū Rangatira?
Ideal applicants will demonstrate:
01
Strong academics, English proficiency, and ambition to excel globally
02
Meaningful leadership, extracurricular involvement, and academic achievement
03
Be passionate, focused, and culturally grounded
04
Motivation to pursue a place at a top university
