Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
July 21, 2025
EIT Bachelor of Accounting student Kārena Williams has been named one of just three recipients of a prestigious national award supporting the next generation of Māori accountants.
The BDO Sir Hēnare Ngata Scholarship, offered by BDO New Zealand, provides $7500 in financial support, an internship with a BDO firm, mentorship, and funded attendance at the Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa hui. The scholarship is awarded each year to three Māori accounting students to help grow the next generation of Māori accountants
EIT Bachelor of Accounting student Kārena Williams has been awarded the 2025 BDO Sir Hēnare Ngata Scholarship.
Kārena (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Porou) says she carries the tohu with pride.
“Being awarded the Sir Hēnare Ngata Scholarship means a lot to me. It’s more than financial support, it’s a recognition of my whakapapa, my future, and the kaupapa,” she says.
“It reaffirms that there is space for Māori like me in the world of accounting, finance and law, especially those who are passionate about community, land and legacy.”
She also has whakapapa to Sir Hēnare Ngata, which she says made receiving the scholarship feel deeply personal.
“It felt like a call to carry on their legacy in a modern context. I wanted to honour him by stepping into spaces where our people are still underrepresented, and to be part of a movement that uplifts our whānau, whenua and future.”
The 33-year-old mother of three returned to EIT in 2022, this time to study a Bachelor of Accounting, after completing te reo Māori studies straight out of high school.
She says her interest in accounting was shaped by years of attending land trust hui with whānau, where she saw the power and complexity of financial documents.
“I wasn’t into maths when I was younger, but I was exposed to financial documents and saw the impact that knowledge can have. At hui, I noticed how many people didn’t understand the processes, legalities and professional side of decisions that affected them.
“I saw that by studying accounting, I could fulfil that professional aspect and take my tohu back to my people to lift our collective knowledge.”
After studying part-time for two semesters, personal challenges saw Kārena take a break to attend law school in Waikato for a semester.
She later returned to Hawke’s Bay to be closer to her tamariki and resumed her accounting degree.
Kārena says accounting has challenged her, but she is determined to succeed.
“It hasn’t come naturally. I’ve had to repeat a few papers, but I’ve grown through it. I go over things again and again until they click.”
She says the support at EIT has played a big role in helping her stay on track.
“You’re not just a number. The tutors know who you are, and they see your potential.”
Kārena will join BDO Hawke’s Bay as an intern this year alongside her studies.
She plans to return to law school once she finishes her degree and hopes to use both qualifications to support her people.
“It’s not about the money. I want to educate, uplift and inform our people so they can make better decisions. That’s what it is.”
Her greatest motivation is her tamariki.
“I want to be the best role model to my kids and show them that if you put your mind to something, you can do it. I’m carving the way so my mokopuna don’t have to struggle the way I did.”
Dr Gareth Allison, EIT Head of the School of Business, said: “I’m incredibly proud to see one of our tauira recognised with the BDO Sir Hēnare Ngata Scholarship”.
“This scholarship not only celebrates Kārena’s academic ability but also honours her dedication to uplifting Māori communities through financial literacy and leadership. Her success embodies the very spirit of EIT, where individual potential is nurtured, cultural identity is embraced, and future leaders are empowered to make a real difference. We look forward to supporting Kārena as she continues her studies and future internship. “
