The 2025 recipients of the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship, with Peata Melbourne second from right. Photo: supplied/Adrian Heke
Māori broadcaster Peata Melbourne is a recipient of the 2025 28th Māori Battalion Memorial Scholarship. She speaks about her work, studies, and how Māori can carry on the stories of the Battalion.
She said it is a massive honour to be counted amongst the people who have received the scholarship in the past, such as Moana Jackson and Monty Soutar.
Melbourne (Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata) was one of the thirteen recipients of this years Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship.
She will receive a doctoral scholarship of $40,000 to complete her PhD in Māori Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi - her topic is decolonising Māori storytelling in screen media.
"I've been working in the media industry for over 20 years now and have seen an increase in stories, news bulletins, films coming out in te reo Māori, and while the number of programs in te reo Māori have increased, I am questioning how Māori they are.
"So my question is firstly what is it that makes an authentic Māori story, what values are people looking at when they make Māori stories, is it enough that because someone's Māori that it's a Māori story, is it enough that it's in te reo that makes it a Māori story, I would say no, but that's what my research is about."
Melbourne said while there are more news stories coming out in te reo Māori, but the reo factor is the only Māori thing about them. She said they do not necessarily have a Māori perspective on things.
It is beautiful having all these Māori stories, she said, but now she wants to understand what is the crux and what makes the foundation of a truly Māori story.
Melbourne plans to submit in April next year, while still working full time in the newsroom at Whakaata Māori.
"Actually at the moment when I go into study mode, I find it quite a relief because I'm able to just concentrate on something that I'm really passionate about and do it in a way that lets me get into the nuts and bolts and everything of what's going on with news. It's just quite a fast turnabout, which I love, I love the pace, I love telling our stories."
On the flip side when switching into the study mode she said it was nice to delve deep into what was going on behind all the work that she does, behind the discussions that she and her colleagues have daily.
She said while it seems like a lot, working full-time and completing a PhD, but it was actually a nice space to be in.
The 2025 recipients of the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship and members of the scholarship fund board. Photo: supplied/Adrian Heke
Remembering Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies
The awards ceremony at Parliament on Thursday included a special tribute to the late Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who passed away in November 2024.
Melbourne said Sir Bom was a beacon of light for all Māori who have connections to the Māori Battalion.
"Their legacy lives on and I guess it's up to us to continue to ensure that these stories live on and I'm in a space where we can do that and produce that and continue to tell those stories about them."
She said the Ngarimu VC Scholarship helped her understand her personal connections to the Māori and Pioneer Battalions.
The scholarship has helped a lot of the students who have applied reconnect to their own whakapapa, their whānau, and carry on the legacy that their tūpuna have left behind, Melbourne said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
