Forestry scholarship programme invests in young Kiwis

13 December 2022, NZ: Career opportunities in the forestry and wood processing sector continue to attract talented young New Zealanders, with 7 more applicants this year joining the Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarship programme.

“The forestry and wood processing sector is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing industries and offers great careers for people of all ages and abilities,” says Alex Wilson, director, forestry engagement and advice, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service.

“Forestry involves much more than growing and harvesting plantation forests. It also employs skilled professionals that care for the forest environment, plan and manage forests, manage people and resources, work with modern technology, and operate multi-million-dollar machines and equipment.

“Our industry is ever-evolving and for modern forestry to thrive, we need to grow capability and diversity in the workforce by investing in and employing more people from a diverse range of backgrounds with a broad range of skills.

“The scholarship programme, now heading into in its fifth year, provides another pathway into the industry and widens access to tertiary study for Kiwis interested in professional forestry degree programmes,” says Ms Wilson.

To date, 30 students throughout New Zealand have received scholarships since 2018, with the first students expected to complete their qualifications at the end of this year.

“We are very excited to see our first cohort of students graduate this year and look forward to welcoming them to the workforce.

“By taking up careers in forestry and wood-processing, these students will be an important part of a future forestry workforce that delivers for the climate, nature, people and economic outcomes,” says Ms Wilson.

The successful scholarship recipients for the 2023 academic year are:

• Charlotte Talbot from Wellington
• Jasmine Hagan and Jean Morton from Rotorua
• Maggie Crawford from Christchurch
• Mataia Cotterill from Auckland
• Rauiri Moorhead from Nelson, and
• Tuawhio Porima from Levin.

They will study Forestry Science or Forest Engineering at the School of Forestry – Kura Ngahere, at the University of Canterbury.

Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is also funding 3 more scholarships for students to study the Diploma in Forest Management at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in the Bay of Plenty. Applications close on 16 December.

The Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships are available both to school-leavers and people working in the industry who want to upskill and undertake tertiary study. Details are:

• Students enrolling in a Bachelor of Forestry Science at the University of Canterbury receive $8,000 a year for 4 years. The scholarship is open to those who are Māori and/or identify as female and are a New Zealand citizen or have permanent residency.
• Students enrolling in a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Forest Engineering at the University of Canterbury receive $8,000 a year for 4 years. The scholarship is open to all New Zealand citizens or those with permanent residency.
• Students enrolling in a Diploma in Forest Management at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology receive $7,000 a year for 2 years. This scholarship is open to those who are Māori and/or identify as female and are a New Zealand citizen or have permanent residency.

The scholarships also include paid internships each summer of 10 weeks with Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service or an appropriate forestry employer.

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