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Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships

Every year Horticulture New Zealand and the Horticentre Trust offer scholarships to students who have a special interest in the fruit and/or vegetable industry and are studying towards an undergraduate degree.

Sixteen Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships are available for study in 2026.

Horticulture New Zealand scholarships

The Horticulture New Zealand scholarship allows successful applicants to attend the 2026 Horticulture Conference and is valued at $1,500.

At the conference, successful applicants will hear from renowned leaders and experts from within the horticulture industry, attend workshops, and have the opportunity to network with growers and industry representatives. The value of $1,500 covers the costs of flights, accommodation and conference registration.

Scholarships are awarded to applicants from each of New Zealand's growing regions (one applicant from each region will be selected) as follows:

  • Northland
  • Auckland/Waikato 
  • Bay of Plenty 
  • Tairawhiti Gisborne 
  • Hawke’s Bay 
  • Lower North Island 
  • Tasman (including Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast) 
  • Canterbury 
  • Otago and Southland 

The remaining Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships will be awarded nationally.

Horticentre Trust Undergraduate Scholarship

The Horticentre Trust Undergraduate Scholarship valued at $4,500 will be awarded to the top five applicants.

This scholarship allows successful applicants to attend the 2026 Horticulture Conference (covering the costs of flights, accommodation and conference registration) to the value of $1,500 plus $3,000 cash to support the successful applicant with their studies.

Any questions regarding these scholarships should be sent to schols@hortnz.co.nz.

Applications close Monday, 1 December 2025.

Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarship information

 

  • Applicants must be a tertiary student studying towards an undergraduate degree in any discipline.
  • Applicants must be a New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
  • For regional scholarships the applicant must have completed three years of secondary schooling or a year of paid employment in the region in which they are applying. Evidence of this may be requested during the selection process.
  • Applicant demonstrates their intent to support the New Zealand fruit and vegetable industry post study.

 

  • Click here to complete the Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarship application form.
  • Applicants need to provide current grade average (GPA) or NCEA results. Evidence of this may be requested during the selection process.

 

  • Successful applicants will be advised in January 2026.

 

Successful applicants who receive an undergraduate scholarship will need to:

  • Be available to attend the Horticulture Conference in 2026, likely to be held in July.
  • Complete industry service up to a maximum of five hours (e.g. high school or community visit), and
  • Prepare a short video report on their studies and career development throughout the 2026 academic year.

Horticulture Postgraduate Scholarships

Every year Horticulture New Zealand and the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust each offer one scholarship to a postgraduate student studying in New Zealand.

These scholarships support students undertaking postgraduate study focused on innovation and tackling challenges critical to the horticulture industry's future success.

There are two scholarships available nationally for the 2026 academic year, these are:

  • The Horticulture New Zealand Postgraduate Scholarship
  • The New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust postgraduate Scholarship

Horticulture New Zealand Postgraduate Scholarship 

This scholarship is awarded to a student undertaking postgraduate study in horticulture or a related field and provides $10,000 cash.

New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust Postgraduate Scholarship 

This scholarship is awarded to a student undertaking postgraduate study specifically related to the fruit industry and provides $10,000 cash.

Any questions regarding these scholarships should be sent to schols@hortnz.co.nz

Applications close Monday, 1 December 2025.

 

Horticulture Postgraduate Scholarship information

 

  • Applicants must be enrolled in postgraduate study in horticulture or a related field in 2026
  • Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
  • Applicants must have the intent to support the New Zealand fruit and vegetable industry.

 

  • Click here to complete the Horticulture Postgraduate Scholarship application form.
  • Applicants are required to answer questions on GPA, provide supervisor and reference contacts, and write a 250–300-word essay on why your research will add value to the horticulture industry. Proof of GPA may be requested during the selection process.

 

  • Successful applicants will be advised in early January 2026.

 

Successful applicants who receive a postgraduate scholarship will need to provide Horticulture New Zealand with a short video summarising their research or prepare a written report.

Application forms