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Sarah Lewis
NGฤTI WHฤTUA ORฤKEI, NGฤPUHI
2019 – 2023 WHANAKE SCHOLARSHIP
Massey University
Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in Mechatronics
I was the inaugural recipient of HERAโs Whanake scholarship, and just as the word Whanake means to rise, grow and develop, the goal of the Whanake scholarship is to raise Maori to a stage where their voices can be heard, to help them grow, and develop themselves and their skills.
Did you know…
I was a 2019 recipient of a HERA Whanake Scholarship which was administered by Toitลซ Kaupapa Mฤori Mฤtauranga โ The Mฤori Education Trust.
I completed my Whanake Scholarship in 2023
I reported in to Kim Nugent
I am proud to have been the inaugural recipient of HERAโs Whanake Scholarship, which supported me throughout my studies from 2019 to 2023 as I pursued a Bachelorโs degree in Mechatronics Engineering at Massey University.
Reflecting on this journey, I can confidently say that the scholarship was instrumental in shaping my growth as an aspiring engineer and in helping me develop both personally and professionally.
During my time with HERA, I completed a summer internship where I worked on a project aimed at increasing Mฤori engagement within the New Zealand metals industry, contributing to a broader transformation agenda. My work involved researching existing programs and resources and developing a toolbox for HERA members to begin this journey. This experience gave me valuable insight into the importance of collaboration with Mฤori to unlock new forms of innovation and strengthen representation within engineering.
The Whanake Scholarship also opened doors for me to explore other opportunities, including internships at AgResearch and the University of Auckland, where I further developed my skills in areas such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD), product development, coding languages (R and Python), and electronics. Each experience built on the last, enabling me to approach challenges with creativity and flexibility while honing my communication and teamwork skillsโessential traits for developing innovative solutions.
Looking back, Iโm incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement I received during this time. HERA gave me a voice and provided a platform to grow in ways I couldnโt have imagined. It allowed me to connect with others in the industry, expand my horizons, and gain my first experience in an office environmentโall within a supportive and inspiring community.
My passion for engineering began in high school and has only grown stronger through these opportunities. I chose to major in Mechatronics because it bridges mechanical and electrical engineering, offering a diverse and dynamic field to explore. I remain excited about the future and the ways I can contribute to the engineering field and beyond.
Recent kลrero for Sarah
It is hard to even believe that HERA has made the major milestone of releasing our 100th podcast episode!
We catch up with Sarah to find out how her internship went over the summer at The University of Auckland.