Ngarimu video and waiata composition competitions are open for Māori ākonga | students in Years 7 to 13.

Further Info & How to Apply

Key dates

Open: Monday, 8 June 2026

Close: 11:59pm Sunday, 2 August 2026

Purpose

The purpose of the competitions is to inspire ākonga to explore, honour, and creatively express the legacy of Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion. This is done through waiata, haka, toi Māori and video storytelling that strengthens cultural identity, whakapapa, historical understanding, and pride in te ao Māori.

He mea whakaaweawe i te ākonga kia hura, kia whakanui, kia auaha hoki ki te whakaatu i te whakareretanga o Rūtene Tuarua Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC me te Ope Taua 28 (Māori) mā te waiata, haka, toi Māori, ataata anō hoki hei whakapūmau i te tuakiri, i te whakapapa, i te hitōria, i te ngākau whakahī ki te ao Māori.

Any Ministry of Education staff member or board member whose tamariki | children is entering these competitions must email us to declare any conflict of interest before entering.

Email: ngarimu.secretariat@education.govt.nz

Who can apply

  • Entrants must be of Māori descent or whakapapa to a recognised Māori iwi.

  • Competitions are open to ākonga | students in Years 7 to 13.

  • You can submit your project as an individual, a team or a kura | school.

  • You must be enrolled at a registered school | kura or have a certificate of exemption from enrolment at a registered school if you are homeschooled.

This project should be led by ākonga. No professional assistance is allowed.

Categories

Each competition has 2 prize categories:

  • te reo Māori

  • English or bilingual.

Entries in te reo Māori must be submitted with English subtitles.

Kaupapa | Themes

There are 4 themes for participants to choose from.

  1. A tūpuna | ancestor or member of the 28th (Māori) Battalion from your rohe | region. Compose a waiata or produce a video about them and tell us what makes that person a tāonga to you, your whānau, kura, community, hapū or iwi.

  2. 28th (Māori) Battalion event and/or company. Compose a waiata or produce a video about a 28th (Māori) Battalion event and/or company (A, B, C, D and HQ). What made it special to you and your rohe?

  3. The price of citizenship. Compose a waiata or produce a video on the contribution of Māori to World War I and/or World War II. Think about why you and your whānau did or did not support the war.

  4. The wāhine of the 28th Māori Battalion. Compose a waiata or produce a video about a wāhine or pouaru and the significant role she played in supporting the 28th (Māori) Battalion, their whānau and rohe, during and/or post-war.

Judging criteria

Key criteria the judges will focus on include whether the entry:

  • demonstrates consideration of the guidance for applicants

  • tells a story (whether the audience gets a sense of the 28th (Māori) Battalion member or unit being researched)

  • evokes an emotional response

  • creates a video or writes a waiata that is either entertaining or thought-provoking

  • uses artistic flair, originality and creativity.

For more details on TIPS, prizes, resources, how to apply, previous winners etc refer to this link.

Let the Careers Department know if you enter.

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