A Napier Boys’ High School student is one step closer to realising his dream of becoming a doctor after being awarded the 2020 Rocket Lab Scholarship.
Of Ngāti Kahungunu descent, Clive Hook-Pomare paid tribute to his mother and whānau for their belief and love for him, upon receiving the scholarship.
“My mother made sure that I was happy, safe, and getting a high-quality education and in doing so, that often meant making sacrifices so I could get ahead.
“Every day I am thankful for her. She pushes me to work harder and value what I have been given along with what I can give back to everyone.”
In its fourth year, the scholarship covers up to $20,000 of tertiary education fees for up to four years of study and includes mentorship from Rocket Lab.
He was selected after demonstrating a clear passion and determination to become a doctor and return to Wairoa once fully qualified to serve his community.
The 18-year-old, who is currently a boarder at the school’s hostel, Scinde House, intends on studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Auckland next year.
He says the Rocket Lab Scholarship, along with a $15,000 scholarship from the University of Auckland will relieve some of the financial burden that comes with extended years of medical study at University.
But more importantly, it will enable him to give back to his community in the long-run.
“I want to advocate for the Wairoa District in the medical field due to the limited healthcare and specialised support that we have,” he said.
“I would do anything to give back to the community and family that have raised me. I want them to know that I am forever grateful for their belief and love for me.”
The process, which began in September involved a number of interviews and Clive says there was a lot of anticipation at each stage.
“I was unsure if I would get it because I didn’t know how many other people had applied so when I kept getting through to the next stage, I was pretty hopeful.
The final call, however, made all is “hopes and dreams come true”.
“I was staying with my grandmother at the time and I called my mum to tell her and she drove over to give me a hug. I was extremely happy,” he said.
Clive says it was Hostel Manager Ashton Johnson who encouraged him to apply two years ago. He wants to thank everyone who has supported him along the way, and Rocket Lab for believing in him.
Rocket Lab Founder and CEO Peter Beck says: “Clive impressed me with his humble nature and determination to support his community in a meaningful way”.
“Providing the support and encouragement to pursue dreams that otherwise might have been out of reach is exactly why we founded the Rocket Lab Scholarship in the first place – to directly support the community surrounding
Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 on the Māhia Peninsula,” he said.
The scholarship was founded in 2017 and has been awarded annually since then to high-school leavers from the Māhia and the wider Gisborne regions.
Arianna Ormond and Mya Mataki-Wilson, both from Māhia, are studying computing and mathematical sciences and towards a career as a civil or chemical and bioprocess engineer respectively.
Last year’s recipient, Niamh Stratton, is pursuing a double major in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Canterbury.
