Saturday, 17 December 2022 09:55

Forestry scholarship programme invests in young Kiwis

Written by  Staff Reporters
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. 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.

The forestry sector continues to attract young New Zealanders, claims  New Zealand Forest Services as seven applicants join the Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarship programme.

Alex Wilson, director, forestry engagement and advice, New Zealand Forest Service, says the sector is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing industries and offers great careers for people of all ages and abilities.

"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,” Wilson says.

She says the industry is ever evolving and for the industry to survive it needs to grow capability and diversity in its workforce.

"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.”

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,” says Wilson.

"By taking up careers in forestry and wood-processing, these students will be an important part of a future forestry workforce that deliver for the climate, nature, people and economic outcomes."

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.

More like this

Top ag scientist to advise PM

A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.

No to pines

OPINION: Forests planted for carbon credits are permanently locking up NZ’s landscapes, and could land us with more carbon costs, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE).

Featured

LIC Space folds for good

Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Are they serious?

OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter