Contribution of respected Māori public servant lives on through scholarship

28 June 2002

The memory of Sam Brown, the former Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) Chief Crown Property Officer who died late last year, will live on in the department through a scholarship for Māori staff. Sam was of Ngati Pukenga, Ngati Maru, and Ngati Whatua descent.

"Sam supported and encouraged development opportunities for Māori in the public service," says Sharon Cottrell, LINZ's General Manager Policy. "After talking with Sam's family, we decided to recognise Sam's commitment via an annual scholarship for Māori staff."

The scholarship, which will be awarded annually, makes a maximum of $15,000 available for one or more Māori staff within LINZ to enhance their knowledge and skills through further education or development experience. Ms Cottrell says that the scholarship can be used to help fund tertiary study or be used by the participants to spend time with their iwi to develop tikanga or te reo skills.

"The scholarship acknowledges the contribution Sam Brown made to LINZ. It also gives us the opportunity to nurture and develop Māori talent in our organisation," says Ms Cottrell.

"Sam Brown was my adviser," says Land Information Minister, Hon Matt Robson. "His experience, wisdom, warmth and loyalty were freely given. Sam's contribution, as a senior public servant, in the best interests of New Zealand, is his legacy. This scholarship honours his legacy through those who follow him."

The first recipients of the Sam Brown Memorial Scholarship are Api Williams, Haylee Putaranui, and Debbie Phillips-Morgan.

Api Williams, of Te Arawa descent, is an analyst (valuation) in the Property Regulatory Group at LINZ National Office in Wellington. He will be using the scholarship to study towards a Bachelor of Arts in Māori Studies.

Haylee Putaranui is a help desk technical adviser at LINZ's Hamilton office. Of Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Kahungunu descent, Haylee plans to do a Masters degree in law, focusing on the Māori land claims process.

Debbie Phillips-Morgan also works at LINZ's Hamilton office where she is a customer service representative. Debbie will use her scholarship to begin a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in communication and environment through the Open Polytechnic. Debbie is of Tainui/Ngati Te Wehi (father's whanau) and Ngati Kahungunu/Ngati Porou (mother's whanau) descent.

Matt Robson will present the scholarships to Api, Haylee and Debbie at a function at the LINZ Hamilton office on Friday 28 June 2002.

ENDS

• Media are welcome to attend the scholarship presentation at the LINZ Hamilton office on Friday 28 June. Contact Judith Hamblyn if you are interested in attending.

For further information please contact:

Sharon Cottrell
General Manager Policy Ph: (04) 498 3500
Land Information New Zealand Email: scottrell@linz.govt.nz
PO Box 5501
Wellington

Media Liaison
Judith Hamblyn
Communications Adviser Ph: (04) 498 3502
Land Information New Zealand Mobile: 021 1178053
PO Box 5501 Email: jhamblyn@linz.govt.nz
Wellington

Barry Ebert Ph: (04) 471 9931
Press Secretary Mobile: 021 636416
Office of Hon Matt Robson
Parliament Buildings
Wellington