Scholarships

Matangirau Whaanga of Rongomaiwahine and Ngāti Kahungunu, who has ancestral ties to Mahia where Rocket Lab operates and launches its Electron rockets, has been awarded the Rocket Lab Scholarship 2023 to support his goal of becoming a Māori health professional through a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree at Auckland University.

“I’m committed to my studies and to achieving my goals and this scholarship will allow me to do that. I am really appreciative of Rocket Lab and their support; my family’s reactions have been so positive and my parents are really proud and happy for me. I’m also very keen to meet the expert scientists at Rocket Lab: a one-on-one mentorship with a scientist who has real world experience in such an exciting field as rocket science is a rare opportunity.”

Ivy Doak from Auckland has been awarded the Rocket Lab Women’s Scholarship to support her pursuit of a mechanical engineering degree through Auckland University to become a spacecraft designer in the aerospace industry. The Rocket Lab Women’s Scholarship has been recently established to encourage more young women to become leaders in aerospace. The Rocket Lab Women’s Scholarship also covers tertiary education costs and includes mentorship from a female Rocket Lab engineer.

“I am incredibly excited about this life-changing opportunity. It’s an honour and a privilege that I am incredibly grateful for; my grin was from ear to ear and I’ve been on cloud nine ever since!As an aspiring aerospace engineer, to be mentored by a ground-breaking female engineer from the Rocket Lab team is a game changer. Receiving guidance and advice of this caliber as I embark on my engineering degree is an invaluable privilege that I am eager to make the most of in every way possible. In turn, I intend to share my experiences to help pave the way for and benefit future students. I’m extremely privileged to benefit from the Rocket Lab Women’s Scholarship, and I’m determined to pay it forward.” 

Lilli-Peach Simpson-Maru of Rongomaiwahine, who has ancestral ties to Mahia where Rocket Lab operates and launches its Electron rockets, was selected as the recipient of the Rocket Lab Scholarship to support her goal of becoming a doctor through the University of Otago.

“I want to make [the health industry] a safe space for tangata whenua,” said Miss Simpson-Maru of her vision for health equity for Māori. “The Rocket Lab Scholarship will not only help me financially but also professionally through the mentorship side involved. I feel extremely grateful and humbled to have been given this opportunity and I feel like it has allowed me to become closer to my whenua and tupuna.”

Encouraging students into STEM and space is a cause close to our heart, so we are thrilled to share that this year we are supporting Pikitangarangi Ratapu from Mahia.

Pikitangarangi Ratapu, 17, plans to study Biology and Chemistry at the University of Auckland and has a strong interest in the natural world. Mr Ratapu’s close connection to his whanau and iwi came through in his scholarship application, where he spoke of volunteering at community gatherings and supporting hui at his marae. Mr Ratapu spoke directly to the power of satellite technology in monitoring climate change and how Earth observation data can be used to mitigate environmental hazards; a particular passion of his sparked by working with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) PhD students doing marine monitoring at the Horokaka and Te Toka Tamure Mahinga Mataitai reserves.

Congratulations, Pikitangarangi! We're privileged to be supporting you to pursue your dreams and excited to see you bring your passion and ideas to our changing world.

A member of East Coast iwi Ngāti Kahungunu, Clive Hook-Pomare was selected as the Rocket Lab Scholarship recipient after demonstrating perseverance to become a doctor and return to his hometown Wairoa once fully qualified to serve his community. Mr Hook-Pomare is studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Auckland.

Niamh Stratton was selected as a Rocket Lab Scholarship recipient after demonstrating a clear passion, dedication, and determination to becoming an astrophysicist and exploring deep space in the discovery of new stars and planets. Miss Stratton is studying a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree with a double major in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Canterbury.

In 2019, Niamh was Head Girl of Campion College and one of only ten secondary school students chosen from around the country to be a SWAPA (Student With A Passion for Astronomy) and attend the national Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand’s annual conference. She was also amongst a select group of high school students to attend the Otago University Advanced Schools Science Academy science camps last week.

Outside of her studies, Niamh volunteers as the Treasurer of the Gisborne Astronomical Society’s Junior division; as a Hospice Youth Ambassador, volunteer for the Gisborne Cancer Society, and as a Tairāwhiti youth environment group member coordinating community events; and offers Peer and Academic Support for younger students to improve education.

Mya Mataki-Wilson was selected as a Rocket Lab Scholarship recipient after demonstrating her passion for engineering and problem-solving.

Miss Mataki-Wilson studied at the University of Auckland and graduated in 2023 with a degree in Engineering. Ms Mataki-Wilson is now working full time as a civil engineer on significant roading projects of national importance.

Arianna Ormond was selected as a Rocket Lab Scholarship recipient to study a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Canterbury. Miss Ormond plans to specialise in mechatronics, an interdisciplinary engineering field that includes aspects of mechanical, computer and electrical engineering.