Restoration project galvanises community
A three-year project to support the restoration of a coastal estuary near Nelson is helping to accelerate other environmental projects.
Applications have opened for the Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau (Forestry Scholarships) for study in 2023.
The nine scholarships are designed to give young people a foot in the door to a career in forestry and are open to those studying the Bachelor of Forestry Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Forest Engineering through University of Canterbury, as well as the Diploma in Forest Management through Toi Ohomai.
“Forestry and wood processing is New Zealand’s third largest primary sector by export value and needs more qualified and skilled people joining its workforce,” says Marion Schrama, manager skills, training and workplace safety at Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service.
"It is an exciting time to be studying and working in the sector, which is undergoing transformation, playing a leading role in our climate change response, driving economic growth and building environmental sustainability,” she says.
Schrama says the scholarships provide more opportunities for people to study and pursue a wide range of careers, and to ensure the forestry and wood processing sector is diverse and reflective of our local communities and regions.
"The knowledge people gain by studying forestry will help New Zealand grow our knowledge and skills base across forestry and wood processing, particularly in forestry science, forestry management, and forest engineering.
"Creating study and career opportunities and pathways also enables the sector and Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service to continue driving advancements in science, technology, and transformation.
Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service established the scholarship programme in 2018 to support people into higher-level study.
"I was very excited to receive the Scholarship and get into study,” says Phoebe Naske from Gisborne, a scholarship recipient and first year forestry science student this year.
She says the money has been a huge help and the opportunities the scholarship provides.
Applications for the 2023 scholarships opened 1 June 2022, and close 15 August 2022 for the Degree Scholarships and 16 December for the Diploma Scholarship.
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson says his party – NZ First - isn’t opposed to the “trade element” of a free trade deal with India.
The managing director of a company seeking to build a solar farm in Canterbury says receiving fast-track approval is a “really positive outcome”.
Retiring MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron is blasting the Green Party for proposing to ban the use of synthetic fertiliser and cutting cow numbers.
A huge reduction in ACC claims from on-farm accidents over the last five years is due to thousands of small, practical decisions being made in sheds, yards, paddocks and around kitchen tables across the country, says Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson.
Wayne and Ange Moxham of Horowhenua have just been named as Fonterra's top organic performer for milksolids. As well as providing organic milk to Fonterra, the couple also sell Udderly Organic milk to more than 100 outlets in the region and are embarking on another exciting venture producing organic gelato. Reporter Peter Burke went along to see their farming operation.
Certainty and a clear understanding of the needs of rural communities is a critical outcome in the series of government reforms that are taking place at present.

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