Navigating pathways: Toloa Scholarship applications now open

When we think about Pacific peoples, we often picture the stars, the ocean waves, and the way our ancestors read the world around them with precision and purpose.  

That same spirit of exploration and innovation lives on in our young people today – in the lab, in the lecture hall, in the moments when curiosity meets possibility. 

The Toloa Scholarships celebrate this connection. They recognise that STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – isn’t something foreign to Pacific learners. 

These skills have always been part of who we are, woven into how we have understood and shaped our world for generations. 

Removing barriers, building futures 

For many of our young people, the path to education isn’t always straightforward. There are costs that add up – uniforms, course materials, accommodation, the everyday expenses that can become overwhelming. These barriers can stand between a student and their potential, between curiosity and the chance to pursue it fully. 

That’s where Toloa comes in. The scholarships provide targeted financial support for both secondary and tertiary Pacific students, covering everything from school essentials to university tuition and research costs. It’s about giving our taiohi the breathing room they need to focus on learning and exploring fields they’re passionate about without the weight of financial stress holding them back. 

Le Va administers these scholarships on behalf of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, and we see firsthand the difference this support makes. When a student’s family doesn’t have to choose between buying textbooks or groceries, when they can say yes to that field trip or research opportunity, new pathways emerge and confidence can grow. 

A future shaped by our communities 

STEM careers offer incredible opportunities for individual students, for our communities and for Aotearoa. We need Pacific voices in health, in technology, in environmental science, in engineering. We need our young people solving problems, innovating, leading. 

The Toloa Scholarships are part of building that future. They’re an investment in potential, in dreams, in the next generation of Pacific navigators charting courses through new territories. 

Applications are now open, and the Le Va team is ready to support students and whānau through the process.  

For more information and to apply, visit Toloa Scholarships.