The Narwhal Design Trust Scholarship

Study area(s): Architecture; Design
Scholarship level: School leaver
Closing date(s): 30 September
Tenure: 1 year
Award for: Māori; Pasifika; Living with a disability; Facing financial hardship; From a refugee background; Athletes; Rainbow; Domestic
Number offered: One
Value: $5,000 per annum, awarded as a stipend.

History and purpose

The Narwhal Design Trust Scholarship was established in 2025 by the estate of the Hollins family. The scholarship honours an individual’s passion for media design and the difference receiving a scholarship made to them. The scholarship will support school leavers planning to study in the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. A special focus of the scholarship will be to support rainbow communities and those who have a passion for community engagement (such a volunteering with local community groups or organisations) to enter and thrive at university.

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants must be school leavers, intending to study in the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation.
  • The scholarship is open to any school leavers nationwide who are New Zealand citizen; or NZ Permanent Resident; NZ Residence Class visa holder.
  • A preference will be given to student’s part of the rainbow community.
  • Preference will be given to students studying Media Design (within the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation).

Selection criteria

The scholarship recipient will be selected based on:

  • The strength of their personal statements (interest and passion for their chosen area of study within the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation and a demonstration of passion for community work such as volunteering or participation in grassroots organisations).
  • Financial hardship.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

  • Complete a statement of financial hardship.
  • Complete a personal statement (approx. 400 words) describing interest and passion for their chosen area of study within the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation.
  • Complete a personal statement (approx. 400 words) demonstrating a passion for community work such as volunteering or participation in grassroots organisations.

Selection process

The successful recipient will be selected by the Undergraduate Scholarships Committee.

Additional information

The scholarship will be paid as a stipend in two instalments once the recipient is fully enrolled at Te Herenga Waka —Victoria University of Wellington. Before the second instalment is paid in Trimester 2, the Scholarships Office will confirm the recipient is still enrolled and engaged in their studies.

The recipient will be asked to write a letter of appreciation once they receive the scholarship, which will be shared will the scholarship donor(s).

Conditions

  1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
  2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being enrolled in a full-year programme (as stipulated by Studylink as full-time), within the criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  3. Where part-time study for the recipient is approved, their scholarship award may be pro-rated. This decision will be made by the decision-making panel. Before the recipient decides to reduce their workload from full-time study, this must be discussed with the Scholarships Office.
  4. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  5. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other University awards.
  6. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
  7. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  8. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04