Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarship is pleased to support another 8 aspiring New Zealanders to study and pursue careers in forestry, with its 2021 scholarship recipients announced today.
Now in its third year, the scholarships are increasing diversity in forestry sciences and engineering, with a strong focus on encouraging Māori and women to embark on forestry careers.
“Māori and women represent only a small percentage of the forestry workforce. Te Uru Rākau endeavours to change that and make the forestry and wood processing sector more reflective of our communities,” says Henry Weston, acting deputy director-general of Te Uru Rākau (Forestry New Zealand).
With the latest cohort, the scholarship programme has to date now supported 22 Māori and women to study forestry science/engineering at the University of Canterbury, providing $8,000 each year during the degrees’ 4-year duration.
Mr Weston says forestry science and engineering keeps New Zealand wood at the cutting edge of innovation and sought after by customers around the globe.
“The insights and experiences these recipients will bring as future forestry scientists and engineers will help us grow the forestry industry, ensuring science and technology underpin this thriving sector.”
“We consider many factors in the selection of scholarship recipients, including students’ interest and commitment to a career in forestry, as well as their community involvement and leadership skills are considered.
“Receiving a scholarship is something recipients can take much pride in, as can their whānau and friends.
“The scholarship recipients, through their study and the summer internship programme will see a huge range of career paths aside from planting, pruning, and harvesting trees in forestry – a sector key to our country’s economic wellbeing and to more sustainable environmental outcomes.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the big things these scholarship recipients achieve throughout their studies and forestry careers,” says Mr Weston.
The 8 recipients (in alphabetical order) of the 2021 forestry scholarships are:
- Anaru Walker, Christchurch, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tamaterā, Muaūpoko
- Angus Syminton, Warkworth, Ngāi Tahu, Te Ātiawa
- Chloe Small, Methven
- Heather Harper, Wellington
- Lana Parker-Hay, Katikati, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Te Whakaue, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Arawa
- Maude Rogers, Wanaka
- Steven Doherty, Rotorua, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Raukawa
- Tessa McCarthy, Rotorua
Scholarship applicants must be:
- studying towards a Bachelor of Forestry Science or Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, majoring in forestry engineering at the University of Canterbury
- eligible to enrol in either a Bachelor of Forestry Science or Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in forestry engineering
- be of Māori descent and/or identify as female
- either a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
Recipients are also given the opportunity to earn while they learn, with annual paid summer forestry internships coordinated by Te Uru Rākau.
Find out more about Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships
