Scholarships
Supporting a skilled Industry
Investing in education and skills is an essential focus for Zespri, particularly encouraging young people into the kiwifruit industry. We support education and personal development at every age and stage, from science in junior schools, to scholarships for tertiary study and career development for future and current leaders of the industry.
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ZESPRI HORTICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications open on Monday 14 August 2023
Zespri is providing up to $10,000 towards tuition fees for two outstanding current university students to support their studies towards a career in the horticulture industry. This could include degrees in science, management, marketing, nutrition or business for example. The scholarship also includes opportunities to be involved with the kiwifruit industry.
What you get:
- Up to $10,000 ($5000 per year for two years) towards tuition fees.
- Opportunities to be involved in the kiwifruit industry
Anyone who is completing or has completed at least one year of tertiary study and is aspiring to a career in the horticulture industry, particularly kiwifruit.
To be eligible for a Zespri Horticultural Scholarship you need to:
- Have passed NCEA Level 3 with merit or excellence.
- Pass (or be on track to pass) your first year of tertiary studies with a B+ average or higher.
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Give examples of how your study will benefit the horticulture industry.
- Provide examples of your leadership skills, community service and/or sporting or cultural activities.
To apply, fill out the application form here and send the completed form to: scholarships@zespri.com
Closing date for applications is Friday 6 October 2023 at 5pm.
Zespri R&D Internships
Applications for the 2023/24 internship programme are now closed.
Zespri offers a number of 10-week summer internships to tertiary students annually from November – February. Interns work on individual, research and development-based projects, specialising in science, technology, and other technical industry aspects. The program provides great networking and personal development opportunities within the business and externally. If you’re a student and want to spend the summer working for the world’s biggest kiwifruit marketer, see below for further details.
Program dates : Tuesday 28th Nov 2023 – Friday 16th Feb 2024. Please note; you need to be able to commit for the entire duration of the internship.
If you're a student looking to complement your studies and gain kiwifruit industry experience over your summer break, our internship programme could be for you.
- Be studying or have recently completed (closing date of your final semester should be less than 12 months ago), an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or qualification at NZQA level 7-10.
- Be studying science, technology, engineering, design or business at a New Zealand tertiary education institute.
- Not have undertaken more than two R&D Internships with Zespri in the past.
Applications for the 2023/24 internship programme are now closed.
Toi Ki Tua Maori Internship Program
Zespri partners with Toi Kai Rawa, the Regional Māori Economic Development agency for the Bay of Plenty, to deliver the Toi Ki Tua kiwifruit summer internship. The programme is aimed at supporting Māori tertiary students in gaining professional work experience and exposure in the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry. If you are interested to learn more about the programme, check out their website here https://www.toikitua.co.nz/students.
Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme
Applications for 2023 are now closed.
The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme is designed for people wanting to develop their leadership skills in order to take on roles in management and governance in the primary sector. Zespri are proud to sponsor one person from the kiwifruit industry each year to complete this prestigious programme.
This is a highly respected rural and primary sector programme, providing knowledge and skills for:
- Personal development and growth
- Developing the 'contextual intelligence' and thinking required for leadership
- Gaining greater insights into the primary industry sector
- Making strategic connections and networks.
Many graduates of the programme have gone on to achieve successful careers in leadership roles in New Zealand agriculture.
The successful recipient of the scholarship will receive the Kellogg Rural Leadership programme worth $4,900 plus accommodation. You must cover the remainder of the costs associated with the programme. The intake runs from 13 June – 30 November, including in-person sessions at Lincoln University.
Aspiring future leaders of the kiwifruit industry.
To be eligible for the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme you must have experience in the kiwifruit industry. You should also be able to demonstrate your leadership skills either in the industry or in the community. You will be asked to provide two referees.
Applications for 2023 are now closed.
Industry Governance Development Programme
Applications for 2023 are now closed.
The Zespri Industry Governance Development Programme is designed to enable leaders of the kiwifruit industry to make the step into governance roles. The programme will introduce successful candidates to governance and leadership possibilities and allow them to build their capability as future leaders of the industry.
- Institute of Directors Company Directors Course
- Regular interaction with Zespri Board and Executive members
- Domestic Governance Tour
- Media training
- Quarterly forums with business leaders
- Formal learning component
People with strong leadership skills and experience who are wanting to step into governance roles within the kiwifruit industry.
Applications for 2023 are now closed.
MĀORI KIWIBERRY SCHOLARSHIP
Applications are closed.
Māori Kiwifruit Growers Inc (MKGI) in conjunction with Zespri and Plant and Food Research are providing a kiwiberry cultivar development scholarship for one current Māori undergraduate or postgraduate student.
The initial scholarship is up to $40,000 and one year of work experience or study. This could include degrees in all areas of science, maths, technology, engineering or computing.
The Māori Kiwiberry Scholarship is offered to build awareness of the kiwifruit industry as an exciting career option, to encourage further research into the industry (especially in the kiwifruit cultivar development) and to encourage capability building.
Applications for 2020 are now closed.