ZESPRI Inaugural 2004 Horticulture Scholarships

Media Release 22 November 2004

ZESPRI Awards Inaugural 2004 Horticulture Scholarships

ZESPRI is pleased to announce the recipients of the inaugural ZESPRI Horticulture Scholarship Programme.

The scholarships are offered to secondary school students from the main kiwifruit growing regions who intend to study fulltime for a degree or diploma in horticulture-related subject at a New Zealand university or polytechnic next year. Seven scholarships, valued at $3,000 each, were awarded.

“Young people are our future, and the annual scholarships are one way ZESPRI can ensure the ongoing success and sustainability of the horticultural industry,” said ZESPRI Chairman, Craig Greenlees.

“We received a high calibre of applications from students who are passionate about pursuing a career in a horticulture-related field, and who are current achievers at their respective schools.

Meet the recipients of this year’s scholarship programme:

Wiremu Cookson from Opotiki College is determined to pursue a career in the Kiwifruit industry and own his own orchard, after spending his school holidays working on kiwifruit orchards in Opotiki. He will be studying for a Diploma in Horticulture.

Fellow Opotiki College student, Craig Morrison, also plans to study for a Diploma in Horticulture, as part of his career path to further develop and manage his family’s kiwifruit orchard operations.

The ZESPRI Scholarship will help Jessica Robertson, from Manurewa High School, to reach her goal of running and owning her own successful fruit and flower orchard. She will begin her conjoint degree in Business Management and Horticultural Science at Massey University in 2005.

Te Puke High School’s Matthew Horn has been interested in horticulture from a young age, and will take his passion and determination to work in the horticultural industry with him when he begins his Bachelor of Applied Science at Massey University next year.

Kirsty Myron from Manurewa High School believes the ZESPRI Scholarship will help her to realise her long-term dream of a research and development career in the kiwifruit industry. Kirsty will study a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Botany and Plant Sciences at Lincoln University.

For Avondale College’s Eseta Alatimu, her desire to pursue a career in the horticultural industry began in her home country of Samoa. Since moving to New Zealand, Eseta has become particularly interested in the fruit industry and will study a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Horticulture.

Fruit Research is where Avondale College’s Ricky Vowles’ passion lies. Several horticultural jobs in his school holidays have further fuelled his interest in the horicultural industry, so it is no surprise that he will study a Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology at Massey University.

The ZESPRI Scholarship recipients will receive $1500 at the commencement of their study and the remaining $1500 upon successful completion of the first year.

ZESPRI received 12 applications for the seven scholarships.

“We were disappointed by the number of responses as we sent application forms to careers advisors and horticulture teachers in all of the secondary schools in the main Kiwifruit growing regions, and promoted the scholarship programme through the media and through ZESPRI events.

“I am certain this year’s high calibre recipients will benefit greatly from the ZESPRI Scholarship Programme. There are so many aspects of the horticultural industry on offer for young people and it is a rewarding, challenging and innovative path to follow,” said Mr Greenlees.

ENDS

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