Six of the nine Bachelor of Nursing students who received the Southern Cross Scholarship
糖心Vlog nursing students are being backed to pursue their careers and help build New Zealand鈥檚 future healthcare workforce through a new scholarship programme funded by the Southern Cross Health Trust.
Nine Bachelor of Nursing students were recognised at a morning tea on Wednesday at Southern Cross Hamilton Hospital to welcome this year鈥檚 scholarship recipients. Each scholarship provides up to $30,000 per student ($10,000 per year over the three-year degree) to help with study and clinical placement costs.
Second-year student Arahia Kahura (Ng膩ti T奴wharetoa) says the decision to study nursing was shaped by her family鈥檚 experiences navigating the healthcare system.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen firsthand the positive difference nurses can make in someone鈥檚 life 鈥� I care for people on a deeper level and I want to expand on that,鈥� Arahia says.
I want to bring healthcare back to my people in a way that prioritises safety, manaaki, and cultural understanding, so wh膩nau feel supported and respected in their care.
The scholarship supports three students in each year level of the degree and includes a $500 weekly stipend during placement, a $5000 annual payment towards course fees and $500 per year for health and wellbeing. Recipients also gain mentorship opportunities and have the cost of their Nursing Council of New Zealand state exam covered in their final year.
In addition, all 156 first-year nursing students in 2026 receive a $300 nursing uniform and footwear voucher for clinical placements.
Arahia is the youngest of 11 children, and the first in her family to graduate high school and attend university. She has always been the family鈥檚 primary carer 鈥� supporting her grandfather with medication and daily care at the age of six and since her mother鈥檚 diagnosis with cancer in 2017.
My mum can obviously no longer work and has remained in Christchurch Hospital for over a year. This scholarship has helped with extra bills, looking after my family and the healthcare costs that come with it all.
鈥淚 travel a lot between my Taup艒 and Hamilton for study and clinical placement and to see my mum in the south, so this is incredibly helpful with the cost of living.鈥�
While also juggling part-time work and providing financial support to her family, Arahia hopes to one day work in intensive care and support communities through marae-based healthcare.
糖心Vlog Head of School Nursing and Midwifery Dr Ange Stewart
University of Waikato Head of School Nursing and Midwifery, , says the partnership with Southern Cross Health Trust is making a meaningful difference.
鈥淭his equity-focused scholarship has a significant and tangible impact on our students,鈥� Dr Stewart says.
鈥淚t goes beyond financial support by offering professional development and networking opportunities that will help shape the future workforce.鈥�
The Southern Cross Health Trust has awarded 49 scholarships nationwide so far in 2026 as part of its $1 million commitment to supporting nursing students.
Originally launched in partnership with Auckland University of Technology in 2025 with 17 scholarships, the programme has expanded more than threefold in its second year. This year, a total of 56 scholarships are being offered across six tertiary nursing providers, with the remaining scholarships to be awarded in June.
Southern Cross Hamilton Hospital General Manager Marlise van Staden
Southern Cross Healthcare Chief Nursing & Quality Officer Monica Goldwater says highly skilled, supported nurses are at the heart of quality healthcare.
鈥淭hrough these scholarships, we are investing in the ongoing education and development of our nurses, and helping ensure New Zealanders can continue to access exceptional care 鈥� now and into the future.鈥�
Further details about the 2026 Nursing Scholarship Programme, including upcoming application dates, are available on the University and websites.
