Career opportunities in the forestry and wood-processing sector continue to attract talented young New Zealanders, with seven more applicants this year joining the Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarship programme.
“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,” Alex Wilson, director, forestry engagement and advice, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service said.
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.
The scholarship programme, now heading into its fifth year, provides another pathway into the industry and widens access to tertiary study for Kiwis interested in professional forestry degree programmes. The forestry and wood-processing sector is also one of NZ’s fastest growing industries.
“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,” she said.
“[It also] offers great careers for people of all ages and abilities.”
To date, 30 students throughout NZ 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,” she said.
Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is also funding three 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. More information is available on MPI’s website.
