Wellington – 28 May 2026 — Fulbright New Zealand is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2026 New Zealand Scholar Awards.
Six exceptional researchers will travel to American universities to cover topics ranging from student-athletes navigating the US university system to New Zealand’s Nuclear Free history.
Hamish McDougall from Auckland will research a history of Nuclear-Free New Zealand at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Hamish is an international historian of the Cold War, decolonisation and international trade. Until recently he was Executive Director at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs and is currently Non-Resident Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University of Wellington; and Research Associate at the Public Policy Institute, University of Auckland.
Riz Firestone from Wellington will conduct research and co-design a youth-focused type 2 diabetes prevention programme at the Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles. Riz is a Professor of Pacific and Public Health at the Centre for Public Health Research at Massey University, Wellington.
Lefaoali’i Dion Enari (Lepa, Malaela, Vaiala, Nofoali’i, Vaiusu, Safune, Saleaaumua-Samoa) will research Indigenous Dance as Physical Activity and Educational learning at Brigham Young University Hawai’i in Hawai’i. Lefaoali’i is an Associate Professor at Ngā Wai a Te Tūī Maori an Indigenous Research Centre at MIT Unitec, Auckland.
Sophie van Hamelsveld from Christchurch will research the relationships between harmful algal blooms and antibiotic resistance at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Sophie is a Senior Scientist at the New Zealand Institute of Public Health and Forensic Science in Christchurch.
Pip Thomas from Auckland will research the career transition experiences of New Zealand student-athletes navigating US collegiate programmes, focusing on transitional demands, institutional responsibility, and individual agency. Pip is a researcher, practitioner, and consultant specialising in emerging athlete career transitions, and Founder of Continuum Performance Hubs.
Luke Rowe (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-tonga) is receiving a Fulbright Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Scholar Award. From Tokorangi, Luke will research the intersection of Indigeneity, men’s mental health, and sport at University of Hawai’i in Manoa, Hawai’i. Luke is a clinical psychologist based in Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Ōtaki.
“Fulbright’s mission is one of fostering compassion, mutual understanding and improving lives, crucial to a more peaceful world,” says Penelope Borland, Fulbright New Zealand Executive Director. “The exceptional calibre of this group of awardees is testament to this mission and we look forward to supporting them across such a diverse and exciting range of research areas.”
About the Fulbright New Zealand Scholar Award
The Fulbright New Zealand Scholar Awards are for mid-senior career professionals, artists and academics to undertake to lecture and/or conduct research at US institutions.
Awards valued at up to US$37,500 are granted each year, towards three to five months of lecturing and/or research. This award has been granted to many recognised New Zealanders including Witi Ihimaera and Dr Mei Peng. Currently on a Fulbright Scholar Award is Dr Michael Baker who is researching infectious diseases at Harvard University.