Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships

Greater diversity created through forestry scholarships

Mā ngā karahipi ngahere e nui ake ai te kanorautanga

Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is committed to creating greater diversity across forestry and wood processing. In particular, we encourage those who are Māori or identify as female, to take up careers in forestry and help transform New Zealand's future.

A Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau (Forestry Scholarship) is your first step to a career in one of New Zealand's largest and innovative industries.

Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships brochure 2022 [PDF, 1.5 MB]

Nine forestry scholarships on offer

E iwa ngā karahipi ngahere e tukuna ana

We're offering 9 forestry scholarships for students who begin study in the 2023 academic year and enrol in one of these courses:

• Bachelor of Forestry Science at University of Canterbury, are of Māori descent or identify as female, or both
• Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) with a major in forest engineering (open to all applicants entering from their first year), or
• Diploma in Forest Management at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, are of Māori descent or identify as female, or both.

Up to 3 scholarships will be awarded for each course.

The scholarships aim to increase the number and diversity of people studying forestry, particularly Māori and those who identify as female. This is to ensure we have highly-trained people entering the forestry and wood processing sector.

The scholarship scheme has been running since 2018. We’ve awarded 31  scholarships since then.

School of Forestry and its courses – University of Canterbury  

Diploma in Forest Management – Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

What you will receive

Tāu ka whiwhi ai

If you are granted a scholarship you will receive:

• $8,000 a year for 4 years of your degree to help with your tuition fees and living costs
• $7,000 each year of your 2-year diploma.

You will also get:

• 10-week paid internships each summer with Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service or an appropriate forestry sector employer
• support from the scholarship coordinator and a buddy throughout the course.

Continuation of your scholarship depends on your successful completion each year.

Check if you are eligible to apply

Tirohia mehemea e āhei ana ki te tono

To apply for a scholarship you must be:

• enrolling in a Bachelor of Forestry Science, a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) with a major in forest engineering, or a Diploma in Forest Management
• of Māori descent or identify as female, or both (if applying for the Bachelor of Forestry Science or Diploma scholarship)
• a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• interested in a career in forestry.

You may be able to enrol at another university for the first year of your degree, but you will need that course approved by the University of Canterbury's School of Forestry.

MPI employees or their immediate family members cannot apply for these scholarships.

How to apply

Me pēhea te tono

Apply by completing the application form.

Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships application form [PDF, 320 KB]

Applications for diploma scholarships close Friday, 16 December 2022.

Applications for degree scholarships are now closed and will reopen 1 June 2023.

What you need to provide with your application

Ngā mōhiohio me tuku mai

With your application form, you'll need to send us:

1. testimonials or references
2. education results
3. evidence of citizenship or permanent residency
4. evidence of Māori descent, if applicable.

Send the completed form and supporting documents to MPIForestryScholarships@mpi.govt.nz

1. Testimonials or references

You will need 2 testimonials or references from different sources and suitable referees. These could be from your:

• school or tertiary institution
• kaumātua
• iwi
• community group
• employer.

Each reference must be signed and include a phone number. It should include an understanding of your:

• commitment to study forestry at tertiary level
• plans to work in the forestry or wood processing sector
• leadership skills and any leadership-type roles you have held, for example in your community or school.

Your referee cannot be an immediate family member.

2. Education results

If you've left school, you'll need to provide your NCEA summary, school certificate, or equivalent qualification. You can provide supporting comments if you want to explain your results.

If you’ve completed tertiary education, you'll need to provide your qualifications and course grades.

3. New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency

You will need to provide a copy of your New Zealand passport or birth certificate.

If you are a permanent resident, you will need to provide a copy of your visa.

4. Evidence of Māori descent (if applicable)

If you are applying based on your Māori descent you will need to provide proof of whakapapa.

This must be signed by a kaumātua, your iwi organisation/trust, or community leader.

How we will assess your application

Ka pēhea tā mātou aromatawai i tō tono

Scholarships are awarded based on:

• your interest in forestry
• your commitment to study
• your academic ability (in particular your ability to complete the course)
• the value of the scholarship to you
• community leadership or ambassadorship potential.

We get this information from your application, past academic history, references, and during an online interview.

Selected applicants will be shortlisted for an interview with us once applications close.

Videos about the scholarships and forestry careers

He ataata o ngā karahipi me ngā mahi ngahere

See what other students have to say about the scholarships – YouTube

Learn about the benefits of higher-level forestry study and career opportunities – YouTube

Media release about the scholarships

He putanga pāpāho mō ngā karahipi

New forestry scholarships encourage more people into forestry careers (10 May 2021)

Who to contact

Me whakapā atu ki a wai

If you have any questions:

• email MPIForestryScholarships@mpi.govt.nz
• phone 0800 00 83 33.