Meat pies & medicine – Maxwell eyes promising future

 The future looks bright for this year’s Michael Garner Scholarship winner – King Maxwell.

 Maxwell, who’s preferred position is fullback, has made every post a winner in 2023, representing the Blues U20s, Auckland U19s, New Zealand U19s while also spending time in camp with All Blacks Sevens squad.

 He is one of six players who earned a National Development Contract (NDC) with the Blues this season alongside last year’s Scholarship winner – Xavi Taele.

 Hailing from Gisborne and of Ngāti Porou and Ngāpuhi decent, King attended Gisborne Boys High School where he played three years of 1st XV rugby. 

 His desire to study medicine saw him make the move north in 2023 to study a Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Auckland and live in the Grafton Halls of Residence.

 He said receiving the Michael Garner Scholarship will really help alleviate the financial pressure of student life so he can focus on rugby.

 “Making the move north was definitely the best thing for both my rugby and studies and I want to thank PIC for their very generous support,” said Maxwell.

 Kristen Garner, daughter of the late Michael Garner whom the scholarship is named after, said their father’s legacy lives on through this initiative. 

 “We’re honoured to continue Dad’s long-standing support of rugby and sporting talent through this scholarship. Congratulations to King, we look forward to following your journey closely,” she said.

 “This scholarship will mean I don’t have to look for extra work to support myself and really put all my energy and focus into the pre-season at the Blues and ensuring I stay on top of my studies,” said Maxwell. 

 Clearly a motivated and well-rounded individual, Maxwell said his desire to study medicine was simple.

 “I want to give back to the people who’ve helped me get to where I am today. Medicine is a career where you feel like you can make a tangible difference in communities so that’s why I’ve chosen that path,” he said.

 “The opportunity to come in as an NDC player at the Blues is huge. Every day is a learning experience and I’m just soaking it all up while we’re in full time before the Christmas break.”

 Michael Garner Scholarship:

 Michael Garner was a Managing Director of PIC Insurance Brokers who tragically lost a short but courageous battle with cancer in March 2022. 

 He was an avid sports fan and generous supporter of both club and professional rugby. 

 The scholarship was set-up to honour his contribution to rugby in the region, with a vision to nurture talent and support the development of young leaders by providing $10,000 to help with education and living costs at a pivotal time in their lives.