A Maori clinical psychology student plans to put her $30,000 scholarship toward finishing a doctorate so that she can go home to Horowhenua and put her studies into practice.
Miriama Ketu-McKenzie affiliates to Poutu Pa near Shannon, and is of Ngati Raukawa descent.
She is one of three post-graduate students to receive a Rose Hellaby Maori Education Scholarship, which she says will help her complete her doctoral studies at Massey University.
Miss Ketu-McKenzie says she has been studying ways of reducing the side effects of extreme, long-term stress on Maori women.
She says she wants to set up her own clinic and use some of the treatment she's developed when she moves back home.
Miss Ketu-McKenzie says she feels a sense of empowerment from being able to use her knowledge to heal her people.
