the college was again hit by financial difficulties, but a direct appeal for assistance to the Prime Minister, Norman Kirk, secured Te Aute's future. In 1977 an agreement between Te Aute Trust Board and the Government resulted in Te Aute becoming a State Integrated School. 2021 Scholarships Several scholarship funds have been set up since the college's establishment. In October 1877, Sir Douglas Maclean set up the Te Makarini Trust with an initial endowment of £3,000, which still provides annual scholarships to gifted students. The fund was established in memory of Sir Donald McLean, an influential figure in Māori-settler relations in the mid-1800s and a prominent Hawke's Bay magistrate. In 1908, a legacy of £1,000 from the late Sir Walter Buller was gifted to the Te Aute Trustees for investment, the proceeds of which provided for a scholarship for many of the college's students over the following decades. Notable alumni Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu — Soldier of the Māori Battalion posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1943 Thomas Rangiwahia Ellison — All Black (1893), also played in the New Zealand Native team (1888–1889) Te Rangi Hīroa (Sir Peter Buck) — anthropologist and historian, medical doctor, and Member of Parliament for the Northern Māori electorate (1909–1914) Taituha Peina Kingi — All Black (early 1920s) Sir Howard Morrison — singer and entertainer who gained fame as part of the Howard Morrison Quartet Sir Sidney Moko Mead — Internationally renowned anthropologist, established the department of Māori studies at Victoria University of Wellington Sir Āpirana Ngata — Member of Parliament for the Eastern Māori electorate (1905–1943), Minister of Māori Affairs (1928–1934) Golan Maaka — among the first Māori general practitioners of medicine, pioneer in Māori health Sir Māui Pōmare — Pioneer in Māori health, Member of Parliament for the Western Māori electorate (1911–1930), Minister of Health (1923–1926) Sir Pita Sharples — Member of Parliament for Tamaki Makaurau (2005–2014), Minister of Māori Affairs (2008–2014), co-leader of the Māori Party (2004–2013) Karl Te Nana — Gold medalist in rugby sevens at the 2002 Commonwealth Games Paraire Tomoana — journalist, historian, and lyricist known for his composition of Pokarekare Ana William Brown Turei — Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia Piri Weepu — All Black (2004–2013) Norm Hewitt — All Black (1993–1998) Manu Bennett — Film and television actor, appeared in the Starz series Spartacus, Peter Jackson's adaptations of The Hobbit, and