Two Emerging Educators Awarded 2026 Ebba Te Tua Scholarships

Paretai Williams and Romain Thomson have been named the 2026 recipients of the Ebba Te Tua Scholarship, supporting their journeys to become qualified teachers and strengthen educational outcomes for children. The scholarship is jointly funded by Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated and Generus Living through its Pacific Coast and Pacific Lakes villages. 

Now in its fifth year, the scholarship honours the late Whaea Ebba Te Tua, a respected Mangatawa kuia and educator who taught at Arataki School for nearly 30 years and helped establish its bilingual and Māori immersion unit. Each recipient carries forward her commitment to education and to a thriving future for te reo Māori.

“Our partnership with Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated and this scholarship is grounded in a shared commitment to education and to creating opportunities that make a practical difference,” says Graham Wilkinson, Director of Generus Living. “We are proud to support Paretai and Romain on their journeys towards becoming qualified teachers, continuing the shared vision at the heart of our partnership.”

“Our beloved kuia, Ebba Te Tua, understood the difference a teacher can make in the lives of our tamariki, and the important role they play in nurturing their journey through te reo Māori,” says Blanche McMath, Chairperson of Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated.

“To our successful recipients this year, Paretai and Romain, we mihi to you. Your achievements reflect the determination, hard work and potential that lives within our whānau.

As you continue on your respective journeys, remember that you carry with you the aspirations of our tūpuna. 

May your learning, growth and success bring pride to you and your whānau, and in time become a source of strength and inspiration for the generations who follow.”

2026 Scholarship Recipients

Paretai Williams is studying towards a Bachelor of Education at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and has completed teaching placements at Te Kura o Te Paroa. Her goal is to become a teacher who creates learning spaces where children feel safe, valued and proud of who they are.

“I feel incredibly fortunate and deeply honoured to receive this scholarship. It will support me as I continue working towards becoming a teacher and creating learning environments where tamariki feel supported, valued and inspired to succeed,” Paretai says.

Romain Thomson is a teacher aide at Marfell Community School in New Plymouth and is studying bilingual Māori teaching through Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Having progressed from parent volunteer to staff member, he aims to become a bilingual kaiako who helps tamariki achieve in an environment where their identity, language and whānau connections are valued. 

“I have seen how powerful it is when children feel understood, valued and culturally affirmed,” Romain says.

Scholarship Support Making a Lasting Difference

Previous recipients are already demonstrating the scholarship’s lasting value. Parengamihi Gardiner, 2025 scholarship recipient, completed her Masters of Education (Māori Medium) through Te Wānanga o Raukawa in December 2025 and has returned to teaching at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kura Kōkiri and Te Wharekura o Tauranga Moana. She is now applying that learning within her kura and the wider Tauranga Moana community.

Recognising Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

Announced during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week), from 14 to 20 September 2026, the scholarships recognise Paretai and Romain as they continue their journeys towards becoming qualified teachers, while already helping to strengthen te reo Māori through their studies and work with children, schools and whānau.

Through the scholarship, Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated and Generus Living are supporting emerging educators who will make a practical difference in classrooms and communities. Both partners congratulate Paretai and Romain and look forward to following their progress towards becoming qualified teachers.