The Maori Party wants to encourage more young Maori to participate in tertiary education.
Te Tai Hauauru candidate Chris McKenzie launched the party's Tertiary Education strategy at Te Huinga Tauira o Te Mana Akonga, the gathering for Maori Tertiary Students Association in Palmerston North today.
Mr McKenzie said one of the initiatives the Maori Party strongly supports is the "First in Whanau" scholarship proposal which was designed and costed by the New Zealand University Students Association.
He said he is an example of being one of the first members of his family to gain a university qualification.
Mr McKenzie said prior to his generation there was a legacy of not going into tertiary education.
The Ngati Raukawa man said by encouraging the first of the older brother or sister or older cousin into university, and with an investment of a few thousand dollars, it will ensure that many generations will follow suit.
The "First in Whanau" will be a fee free scholarship to pursue a Bachelor level qualification.
On top of that, Mr McKenzie is supporting the reinstatement of student allowances that were scrapped in 2012.
He is also pushing for a universal student allowance for all full-time tertiary students and free round the clock public transport for them.
