Norman Steele Memorial Scholarship
The Norman Steele Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to support students of Ngāti Whakaue descent studying medicine in New Zealand.
Norman believed deeply in the power of education and the role science and knowledge play in improving opportunities for individuals and the health and wellbeing of communities.
An electrical contractor, businessman, and respected local historian, Norman was proud of both his Māori and pioneering Pākehā whakapapa. With strong connections to Rotorua and Maketū, he walked comfortably in both worlds and dedicated much of his life to serving his people and community.
Norman played an active role in tribal affairs throughout his life, becoming a Founding Member of Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands in 1966 and later serving as a Trustee across several Māori land trusts.
His commitment to service was inspired in part by his mother, Ngaroma Steele (née Butt), a passionate advocate for Māori health and wellbeing who helped establish the Māori Women’s Welfare League in Rotorua and worked tirelessly to improve outcomes for Te Arawa women and their tamariki. The family’s contribution to health extended further through Norman’s brother, Heke Steele, who became New Zealand’s first Māori
dentist.
dentist.
Established by Norman’s son, Dr Greg Steele, and his wife Bridget, the scholarship reflects a family tradition of leadership, education, and service to others. Greg, who passed away in April 2026, was a proud member of Ngāti Whakaue and dedicated more than 30 years to caring for the Rotorua community as a medical specialist at Rotorua Hospital. He was also a trusted source of medical support for many whānau in Maketū and contributed internationally through healthcare and hospital development work in countries including Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Today, the scholarship stands as a tribute to both Norman’s and Greg’s enduring legacies. Through this fund, future generations of Ngāti Whakaue medical students are encouraged to pursue careers that will strengthen the health and wellbeing of their whānau, hapū, iwi, and wider communities, continuing a longstanding family commitment to service, education, and care for others.
