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Moana Tipene

Ralph Flavell Scholarship Award Winner

Ralph Flavell Scholarship winner accepting her award

Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) graduate Moana Tipene of Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent, describes herself as an enthusiastic Māori woman who strives to do her best in all that she applies herself to.

Proud mother to a beautiful young girl, Moana credits her daughter with being the main reason she stays focused and determined to succeed in her studies.

She says her partner, parents and friends supply a fantastic network enabling her to concentrate on studying, which is reflected in the high grades she has achieved. “I believe you can accomplish whatever you put your mind to while still maintaining core values such as family, friends, your culture, the belief in hard work and honesty.” 

In 2015 Moana received the UCOL | Te Pūkenga Ralph Flavell Scholarship, which was established to encourage and assist Māori students in their pursuit of a higher level of learning that pertains to the survival and revitalisation of the Māori language and culture.

Gaining a scholarship pushed Moana to accomplish goals for her whānau. “Being the recipient for the Ralph Flavell scholarship was very exciting for me. It gave me a perfect opportunity to thank all those who supported me,” she says. 

Moana is a member of regional Kapa Haka group Pamutana and international Kapa Haka group Te Pou Huia. In 2012 Te Pou Huia represented New Zealand at a Folk Dance Festival in Shanghai, China, and in 2014 Pamutana performed at the Tangatarau Regional Festival, placing third. 

Moana has also been actively in involved in community work, such as helping out with the Annual Manawatū Food Drive. “Giving back is a big thing for me, so helping out when and where I can in the community is always a pleasure. It’s always good to be involved with what's going on in and around the city!”

In 2016 Moana gained a full-time role as a Medical Radiation Technologist with Northland District Health Board and continues to dream big for the future. “I hope to work as a radiographer specialising within the medical imaging field in Computed Tomography and one day move on to Magnetic Resonance Imaging.”


Northland District Health Board is the funder, planner and a key provider of health and disability services for the population of Te Tai Tokerau (Northland). Employing over 2200 staff and covering the area from Topuni in the south to North Cape, it serves a population of about 148,500.

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