Nursing Ākonga Earns Prestigious Scholarship

Gabriella Keil walks with her tūpuna on her academic journey, inspiring her to strive for excellence. 

The Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Bachelor of Nursing ākonga (student) was recently recognised with the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship for 2024/25.

“The mana and pride of my tūpuna who fought not only during the war, but throughout the years that followed is now being recognised and appreciated.”

Gabriella's journey towards becoming a nurse began in 2022, driven by a personal experience of loss that sparked her passion for health and her culture. 

“As my knowledge in health grew, so did my passion for my culture. This fuelled my determination to take action for the betterment of my people,” she said.

The scholarship, which recognises the bravery of soldiers from the Māori Battalion, holds significant personal and academic value for Gabriella. 

Reflecting on the moment she received the news of her award, Gabriella said she was grateful and proud to be recognised. 

“My application had been in preparation since 2022. I had put my heart into it and because of my whānau link to the Māori Battalion it was spiritually significant to me.”

Her connection to her tūpuna's legacy is a source of inspiration in both her academic and personal life. As part of her application, Gabriella shared a poignant piece of her heritage, a poem written by her tupuna George Tait, which continues to inspire her actions today.

“He Koha Kii Na Taku Kuia is a poem written by my tupuna George Tait. To my knowledge, this piece was composed on the advice of his grandmother, my great great grandmother Pihitahi Trainor (nee Wharetuna) of Ruatoki. Her gifted words to her mokopuna are timeless, inspirational and beautifully orchestrated by him. His Tauparapara and Waiata will be treasured for many generations more. I guess that is the significance, let the actions I take today be of meaning beyond my lifetime.”

Attending the awards ceremony at Parliament was a surreal and overwhelming experience for Gabriella. 

“It was incredible but also confronting. In that space, I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses, which was beneficial because I am now actively engaging in programs to support my growth.”

Gabriella says her time at Toi Ohomai has helped shaped her as a nurse. 

“The tutors are very honest about their experience, and I have enjoyed learning about healthcare from their perspective. The programme has pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and I am becoming more comfortable in the role of a nurse each day,” she said.

Gabriella's future aspirations in the field of health are driven by a desire to address the inequities faced by Māori whanau. 

“The blueprint of big ideas tends to find me in those quiet moments. As I learn more about the inequities in health faced by Māori whanau, I become more fixated on finding a solution.”

The support from her peers and tuākana has been valuable to Gabriella in her educational journey. 

“I have made a beautiful network of lifelong friends on this journey. My peers and tuākana understand, they are in this too. We are in this together and it is empowering to see everyone achieve their goals,” she said.

Gabriella says the scholarship is confirmation that her aspirations for Māori are shared by others who have influence. 

“The spiritual significance of it is a direct link to my tupuna, and reminds me of their bravery, courage, and intellect. Combining the two inspires me to always put my best foot forward and contribute positively to the community I serve.”