Established in 2018 through a $38 million bequest by the late Judge Ian Borrin, the Borrin Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which supports legal research, education, and scholarship.

During his lifetime Judge Borrin was passionate about supporting people to develop themselves. This latest scholarship will be added to the suite of fellowships, scholarships, and grants for individuals offered by the Borrin Foundation.

The scholarship is offered in partnership with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Aotearoa New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence. The Borrin Foundation – Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Scholarship is for Māori law graduates who wish to obtain a post-graduate degree in law overseas or domestically.

The Māori Centre of Research Excellence will provide support and manaakitanga to the successful candidate including via Te Kupenga o MAI, the Māori and Indigenous scholar network. The initiative was co-developed by Professor Jacinta Ruru, former co-Director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.

Professor Jacinta Ruru said that the scholarship was a game changer for Māori legal scholarship, “This significant investment comes at a super exciting time in law where Māori knowledge and ideas are being more and more heard. We are incredibly proud of this partnership.”

The scholarship is offered in partnership with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Aotearoa New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence

Co-Director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Professor Kukutai said that Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga was so pleased to work with Borrin Foundation to offer this scholarship, given their mutual vision of a socially just and flourishing Aotearoa. “We have so many stellar Māori legal scholars that are already demonstrating leadership in their own communities, and this opportunity will stretch their impact even further,” said Professor Kukutai.

Justice David Goddard, Chair of Borrin’s Grants and Scholarships Committee welcomed the opportunity to support Māori scholars who are future leaders in the legal world. “The scholarship reflects the Borrin Foundation’s vision of an Aotearoa New Zealand that is just, inclusive, tolerant and free, where everyone understands the role and value of the law, and everyone enjoys the protection and opportunity that it provides,” said Justice Goddard.

A pool of $80,000 will be available annually which may be awarded to one scholar or split between two individuals. The first round of applications closed earlier this month. The next round of applications for this scholarship will open in August 2022.

The aim of the scholarship is to support a Māori scholar to pursue a post-graduate degree in law at a New Zealand university or at an overseas institution (any jurisdiction) including multi-year degree programmes.

Funding can be used for costs such as course fees, living expenses, and airfares.

More information about the scholarship and other fellowships and awards offered by the Borrin Foundation can be found on their website www.borrinfoundation.nz/fellowshipsawards.