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Te Ara Hauora is a suite of outreach programmes focused on increasing Māori secondary student science engagement and recruitment into health sciences study and health professional career pathways.

REACH (Realising Educational Aspirations for Careers in Health)

REACH is a scholarship for Year 13 Māori secondary students interested in a career in health. It is hosted by the University of Otago.

Applications for 2024 – Now closed

The 2024 REACH programme will be held from 5 August to 8 August 2024. Applications open on 1 May and close on 15 June 2024 at 5pm.

REACH information pack (PDF)

What is REACH?

The REACH Otago Scholarship (Realising Educational Aspirations for Careers in Health) provides the opportunity for twenty Year 13 Māori students to spend three nights and days on the University of Otago's Dunedin campus. Students from across New Zealand experience university life first-hand: living in, and visiting, residential colleges; attending lectures; meeting current Otago students; and learning about the various degree and study options Otago offers, particularly in health.

What does the REACH scholarship provide?

  • A 3 day programme designed to give students exposure to university life and health related study.
  • Flights to and from Dunedin (from students home region)
  • Accommodation in a University of Otago residential college.
  • All meals (including dietary requirements)

REACH students thoroughly enjoy the hands-on opportunities provided by many of Otago's faculties, schools, and departments, such as Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Human Nutrition.

"The Dentistry Department inspired me enough to want to do it because the practical really interested me and I've considered it as a health career I would actually enjoy!"

REACH provides learning opportunities and students report feeling more informed about degree planning and the support networks available at Otago.

"I cannot stress enough how everything really was great on REACH, I have learnt a lot and I've been inspired which gives me determination to achieve my goals."

The Māori Health Workforce Development Unit delivers the REACH Otago Scholarship once or twice each year.

For more information on applications, contact programme manager:

Sam Feeney
Tel +64 3 470 3593
Email reach@otago.ac.nz

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