The scholarships will be provided annually for two students on the rural specialism programme and each is valued at $5,000. The recipients will also have the opportunity to complete 12 weeks of paid practical work at Te Tumu Paeroa through a new summer internship programme.

“Te Tumu Paeroa administers nearly 100,000 hectares of land across Aotearoa. We work with rural land valuers and rural consultants to ensure Māori landowners are getting fair returns from their whenua. This scholarship is one of the steps we are taking in building Māori technical capacity in whenua management” says Brae Watkins, Trust and Property Director.

“The rural land valuation workforce is looking for rangatahi with relevant qualifications for succession in the sector. We hope that this scholarship and intern programme will attract more students into careers in the rural sector.”

The Māori Trustee, Dr Charlotte Severne, says, “In partnering with Lincoln University we’re able to match the needs of Māori landowners with the career development opportunities of the next generation. By giving students practical experience of working on Māori land we hope to bring their talent and innovation to the rural valuation workforce.

“This is part of a broader capability development strategy initiated this year to create pathways for Māori land trusts to self-govern and administer their own whenua.”

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Māori & Pasifika of Lincoln University, Dr Dione Payne, says “Lincoln University is excited to partner with Te Tumu Paeroa and focus on Māori aspirations and the needs of the industry in this area.”

Lincoln’s Bachelor of Land and Property Management is one of the most comprehensive industry focused degrees and fully accredited with all the relevant professional bodies.

There is also the option of adding the Primary Production Specialisation to the Rural Bachelor of Land and Property Management, or alternatively one of the additional majors Lincoln University offers. 

Applications for the scholarship can be obtained by emailing ompd@lincoln.ac.nz