Thursday, 03 September 2015 14:21

Zespri launches new $15,000 scholarships

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size

Zespri has announced two new $15,000 scholarships to encourage New Zealand's top secondary students to pursue a career in the fast-growing kiwifruit industry.

Zespri general manager grower & external relations Dave Courtney explains that the company is looking to support and encourage tomorrow's leaders into the horticulture sector.

"Kiwifruit is a global business; our industry earned $1.6 billion in sales revenue last year and we're set to grow strongly over coming years," says Courtney.

"We need to make sure we're bringing in the best young people to help our industry excel in the future. The kiwifruit sector offers great career options for young people to grow, innovate and lead in the future and these Zespri scholarships are one of the ways we're attracting tomorrow's top talent.

"The scholarship is not just about financial support – the recipients get to see the industry from the inside," he says.

The funding contributes up to $5,000 a year for three years of university tuition fees and the Zespri scholars are supported and mentored through their studies, as well as having the chance to network with industry leaders. Recipients will also help promote the horticulture sector through open days and career events.

Aimed at secondary students about to start their tertiary studies, the scholarships complement the graduate recruitment scheme, which offers recent graduates a 12-month contract working across the different parts of Zespri's business.

Eligibility and criteria for scholarship applicants

• NCEA Level 3 endorsed with merit or higher
• A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident
• Registered in full-time tertiary study at a New Zealand University by 31 March in the year of the award
• Must maintain an academic grade average of B+ or higher throughout the course of the scholarship

"We're looking for excellent students who can show us their leadership potential, as well as how they plan to contribute to our industry," says Courtney.

The scholarships are worth $15,000 over three years. Two positions are available each year and applications for the 2016 scholarships close on Friday 9 October.

For more information, go to www.zespri.com

Published in Rural Life

Featured

Taniwha Station: The Bull Beef Farm Famed for Daffodils

South of the central Hawke’s Bay town of Waipukurau is Taniwha Station – a highly successful 550ha bull beef farming operation.

Catch the Rain: B+LNZ Trials Boost Soil Infiltration

Beef + Lamb NZ funded research has shown that some simple changes to pasture management could help farmers make better use of rainfall and build resilience before dry conditions hit.

Editorial: No Small Challenge

OPINION: There could hardly be a more appropriate theme for a conference than the one chosen by the red meat sector - Navigating Volatility.

Northland Firm's CPD Is Used From NZ to Antarctica

When Northland leather worker Vernon Suckling started making horse saddles 50 years ago, quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles were unheard of.

Alliance to Pay Up to $20m to Farmer-Shareholders

Alliance Group has confirmed that eligible farmer-shareholders who supply and continue to back the business will receive up to $20 million later this year, following the strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats.

Election 2026: What Parties Promise the Primary Sector

With a general election under five weeks away, Rural News is asking major political parties about their policies and positions on key issues facing the primary sector. We will run their responses to each question over the next four weeks. The ACT Party and the Greens didn't respond in time.