University of Otago graduate Renee Wikaire has won an international study award, and six other Otago graduates and an Otago student have also gained Fulbright grants to study in the United States.
Miss Wikaire (24) will leave for America next month to complete a PhD in education at Florida State University in Tallahassee, after gaining this year's Fulbright-Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Award.
The award is supported by Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, a centre of research excellence focusing on Maori knowledge.
In her US research, she will examine the potential for improving indigenous health, wellbeing and development through sport.
The award provides up to $US25,000 ($NZ31,400) for study costs, and also covers insurance and return air fares.
Miss Wikaire, who last year completed a bachelor of physical education honours degree, has a passion for nga taonga takaro (traditional Maori sports and recreation).
She felt "humbled" and "very, very privileged" to gain the award.
Since completing her Otago degree, she has been based in Whangarei, working as a co-ordinator for Northland Health, developing and running "green prescription" programmes, which aim to improve health by encouraging increased physical exercise and improved diet.
Two Otago graduates and an Otago student have been awarded Fulbright-Ministry of Science and Innovation Graduate Awards.
Fulbright recipients get up to $US25,000 for up to a year's study.
Return air fares and insurance are also paid.
Sophie Briggs, of Whakatane, who graduated with a BSc (Hons) and a DipLang from Otago last year, will complete a PhD in geology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Sam Cormack, of Wellington, who gained an Otago BSc (Hons) in 2010, will complete a PhD in physics at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Frank Pega is already in the US and will study at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, towards a PhD from Otago's Wellington campus.
Four Otago graduates have gained Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Awards, including Michael Dobson, from Wellington, who will complete an MA in politics at the New School in New York.
He has an Otago LLB (2009) and gained a BA (Hons) in 2010.
Alex Latu, from Dunedin, will complete a master of laws degree at New York University, having gained a BA and an LLB (Hons) from Otago in 2010.
Mr Latu has also been awarded the Robin W.
and Avril Flockton Winks Award, a supplementary award involving $US1500.
Peter Martin, of Wellington, is already in the US, where he will complete a master of laws degree at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
He graduated with an Otago BSc and LLB (Hons) in 2006.
Lora Vaioleti, of Hamilton, will undertake research at the University of California, Irvine. She gained an Otago bachelor of physiotherapy degree in 2006.
