Tohu Hiranga Awards

He kotuku rerenga tahi

A white heron flies once

Leadership and Mentorship 

Dame Tariana Turia Award 

Dame Tariana Turia is a respected Māori leader who consistently sets the benchmark to improve the status and wellbeing for Māori wellbeing. As a continual inspiration, Dame Tariana advocates for significant change to the way government departments and services are accessed, to transform and build the capacity of whānau.  

The Dame Tariana Turia Award is for contributions to Whānau Ora (Whānau Wellbeing) at both individual, group and organisational levels. 

Ana Sokratov Award 

Ana Sokratov was a Māori leader with personal experience of mental distress who is well known nationally for her staunch sense of justice, leadership and guidance in ensuring the tāngata whaiora voice was well heard. Ana was known for mentoring many people who are in Māori lived experience leadership and representative roles across New Zealand. 

Harry Pitman Award 

Harry Pitman was a Māori leader in the Addiction sector and as well known for his support of the Healing our Spirit Worldwide indigenous movement.  

The Harry Pitman Award recognises outstanding current and emerging leaders in the Alcohol and Other Drugs sector. Encouraging work aimed at minimising addiction-related harm to Māori to achieve the best outcomes for tāngata whaiora and whānau. 

Bob Henare Award 

Bob Henare was best known for his role at the Mental Health Commission and had years of Government experience.  

The Bob Henare Award acknowledges and supports the professional achievements and high level of excellence of rangatahi Māori (under 25 years) working in/toward Māori mental health.  

The Award also recognises and encourages the development of innovative approaches to achieve the best outcomes for Māori in the mental health sector. 

Paraire Huata Recognition Award 

Paraire Huata was best known for his focus in the health and social service sectors, and his commitment to Māori mental health and addictions. He was part of the Taha Māori programme (Hamner Springs) and led Ngā Ngaru Learning Systems.  

The Paraire Huata Recognition Award provides funds for an annual hui to recognise ‘Māori ways of learning’, and to acknowledge Māori practice rather than an award for an individual.  

The award provides the opportunity for Māori to facilitate local wānanga, to share and raise the standards of practice regarding Māori models of practice. 

Māori Health Workforce  

Dr Henry Rongomau Bennett Legacy Award 

Dr Henry Rongomau Bennett was the first Māori psychiatrist in Aotearoa New Zealand who significantly contributed to psychiatry and Māori health. He was the medical superintendent of Tokanui Hospital between 1964 and 1984, where his influence on the treatment of Māori mental health was noted. Dr Henry Rongomau Bennett was also integral in supporting Whai Ora – the first Māori mental health unit in New Zealand.  

The Dr Henry Rongomau Bennett Legacy Award recognises tākuta Māori working in or toward mental health, whose dedication resonates with the ideals of Dr Bennett and his career contributions directly influencing Māori mental health and wellbeing. 

Harry Pitman Award 

Harry Pitman was a Māori leader in the Addiction sector and as well known for his support of the Healing our Spirit Worldwide indigenous movement.  

The Harry Pitman Award recognises outstanding current and emerging leaders in the Alcohol and Other Drugs sector. Encouraging work aimed at minimising addiction-related harm to Māori to achieve the best outcomes for tāngata whaiora and whānau. 

Tā Mason Durie – Pae Ora Masters Scholarship 

As an alumnus of Otago University and patron of Te Rau Ora, a new scholarship has been created in recognition of Tā Mason Durie’s significant contribution to Māori development, hauora and Māori knowledge. 

The Tā Mason Durie Pae Ora Masters Scholarship provides an opportunity for a postgraduate student of Māori descent who is interested in completing their master’s degree with a focus in mental health, addiction and Māori health. 

The scholarship is valued at $15,000 per year plus a tuition fee waiver (excluding the Student Services Fee) for: 

• Full-time master’s research study for the thesis year only; OR 

• Full-time Coursework Masters study.  

Where a Coursework Masters programme is longer than one year in duration, the $15,000 enrolment will be pro-rated over the total programme length and the tuition fee waiver applied across the total programme. For part-time enrolment, the scholarship will be pro-rated. 

Youth and Education  

Bob Henare Award 

Bob Henare was best known for his role at the Mental Health Commission and had years of Government experience.  

The Bob Henare Award acknowledges and supports the professional achievements and high level of excellence of rangatahi Māori (under 25 years) working in/toward Māori mental health.  

The Award also recognises and encourages the development of innovative approaches to achieve the best outcomes for Māori in the mental health sector. 

Tā Mason Durie – Pae Ora Masters Scholarship 

As an alumnus of Otago University and patron of Te Rau Ora, a new scholarship has been created in recognition of Tā Mason Durie’s significant contribution to Māori development, hauora and Māori knowledge. 

The Tā Mason Durie Pae Ora Masters Scholarship provides an opportunity for a postgraduate student of Māori descent who is interested in completing their master’s degree with a focus in mental health, addiction and Māori health. 

The scholarship is valued at $15,000 per year plus a tuition fee waiver (excluding the Student Services Fee) for: 

• Full-time master’s research study for the thesis year only; OR 

• Full-time Coursework Masters study.  

Where a Coursework Masters programme is longer than one year in duration, the $15,000 enrolment will be pro-rated over the total programme length and the tuition fee waiver applied across the total programme. For part-time enrolment, the scholarship will be pro-rated. 

Tā Tātou Mahere Korowai Award 

The Tā Tātou Mahere Korowai Award aims to assist with and support the establishment of Rangatahi Advisory Groups in Child, Youth and Adolescent mental health, addiction, and Whānau Ora services.