2024 PRINZ Waikato Matariki Scholarship Recipient – Terah McCarthy
Announcing the 2024 PRINZ Waikato Matariki Scholarship Recipient,
Terah McCarthy
To celebrate the season of Matariki, a 23-year-old university student from Ngaaruawaahia has been awarded a scholarship in recognition of his potential as a future star in the communications industry.
Terah Manaia Jarom McCarthy (Ngaapuhi, Waikato-Tainui) received the 2024 PRINZ Waikato Matariki Scholarship at ‘The Importance of Maaori Storytelling’ learning lunch event in Hamilton on the 25th of July.
This scholarship, a joint initiative from the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) Waikato committee and Waikato-Tainui, aims to support rangatahi Maaori in the Waikato region aspiring to develop careers in communications or public relations.
Supporting future Maaori communicators
The scholarship provides recipients with professional development, networking, and mentoring opportunities tailored to their career interests.
Terah will receive a one-year PRINZ membership, a bespoke mentoring programme designed around his interests and ambitions and has been invited to join the Waikato PRINZ committee.
From concrete to comms
Growing up in Ngaaruawaahia as the oldest of four children, Terah hopes to be a role model for his siblings.
“Even though we were raised in a small town, I want to show them that we can achieve big things,” he says.
After graduating from Fraser High School in 2018, Terah worked in concrete and paving sealing for four years. Ambitious for other opportunities, he enrolled at the University of Waikato, where he is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Communications degree, majoring in Public Relations.
During his first year, Terah completed an internship with Waikato-Tainui, working on communications around Three Waters.
Terah applied for the Matariki scholarship because he wanted to apply what he was learning in the classroom to real-world settings.
“Although my university classes have taught me what to do in theory, I believe this mentoring programme will offer me practical hands-on experiences and networking opportunities with PR professionals that will be beneficial for my learning,” says Terah.
Aspirations for a PR career
Eager to improve his writing skills and receive guidance on networking and relationship-building, Terah looks forward to the mentoring and support he will receive from Waikato PRINZ members during the scholarship period.
“I believe this programme will teach me skills to network by meeting people who are already established in the pathways that I aspire to be in.”
In the future, Terah hopes to work in communications for the iwi sector, supporting whaanau to meet their aspirations. He is also has a passion for sports, particularly rugby league, and is interested in exploring a public relations career in a sporting field.
About the PRINZ Waikato Matariki Scholarship
The PRINZ Waikato Matariki scholarship officially launched this year after a successful pilot period and is supported by the PRINZ head office and national board, alongside Waikato-Tainui.
“This scholarship represents a fantastic opportunity for rangatahi Maaori within our rohe to further their careers, offering hands-on experience and insights into the industry at a grassroots level” says Waikato-Tainui General Manager Communications & Engagement, Jason Ake.
“Waikato-Tainui is committed to continuing our support by demonstrating a Maaori lens approach to communication, empowering our rangatahi to tell our stories, our way.”
The scholarship was born out of five years of collaboration, friendship, and partnership between Waikato PRINZ and Waikato-Tainui.
“The PRINZ board and management could not be more delighted to welcome Terah to our membership as the worthy recipient of this inaugural scholarship” says PRINZ CEO, Susanne Martin.
“This initiative by our committed Waikato regional subcommittee in partnership with Waikato-Tainui speaks to our industry’s commitment to developing, mentoring and expanding the burgeoning network of Maaori PR and communications professionals in Aotearoa.”
A pilot programme was developed in 2021, with a scholarship awarded to Tangiora Raumati, who was mentored in the 2022/2023 period after returning from maternity leave. Now working as a communications and engagement advisor at Waikato-Tainui, Tangiora organised last year’s Waikato-Tainui/Waikato PRINZ event on the Power of the Maramataka (Maaori Lunar Calendar).
This annual scholarship is open to young people aged 18 to 25 who lived, worked or studied in the Waikato region, have Maaori whakapapa (lineage), and have an interest in developing a career in communications or public relations.
It is announced during the season of Matariki, which is traditionally a time of learning, growth and reflection.
It is hoped, over time, to grow a network of young Maaori communications professionals in the Waikato region who feel supported in the public relations industry and can use the PRINZ network to build their skills, confidence and connections. Alumni of the scholarship will support other rangatahi to enter the profession.
