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Leadership Programme Scholarships

Horticulture New Zealand Leadership Programme

Horticulture is growing together with ambitious goals such as doubling the farmgate value of production in a way that improves the prosperity for our people and protects our environment.

Our operating environment is more complex and unpredictable than ever before. More than ever, we need a strong pool of high performing leaders that have the confidence and skills to take our industry into the future. This programme will help prepare you or your employee to successfully capture the opportunities and address the challenges that this growth offers.

Participants will join the ranks of more than 300 graduates since 2002 to develop their leadership knowledge and skills in this popular and highly respected programme that is well supported by industry leaders. It is horticulture specific, pragmatic, and involves the best training, by a credible provider, in a friendly learning environment.


Click here to read the 2024 Leadership Programme Scholarships brochure

The HortNZ Leadership Programme took a break in 2023 to be reviewed against the current industry landscape, recent research, and the food and fibre sector leadership framework. Cyclone Gabrielle delayed the review, but this evaluation has since been completed by Scarlatti and funded by the Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence (FFCOVE). HortNZ has partnered with Rural Leaders, a charitable trust known for their provision of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, to pilot the renewed programme in 2024.

The programme is designed for potential and current leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry. Participants will primarily, but not exclusively, be growers or their employees or from organisations closely associated with growing. The programme is open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who have demonstrated leadership or leadership potential and a willingness to assume responsibility in grower or industry matters.

The programme is limited to a maximum of 18 participants. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications that meet the selection criteria will be approved on a first-come first-served basis until the programme has reached capacity. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to re-apply for entry into subsequent courses.

 

Register your interest for 2025

 

If you have any questions, please contact programmes@ruralleaders.co.nz or phone 021 1396 881.

 

2025 costs will be notified soon.

 

HortNZ is offering 12 scholarships that will meet all course fees and accommodation costs. In addition, there will be up to six positions available for a course fee of $5,000+GST.


All successful applicants will be called on to meet the travel costs for one trip to and from Auckland, and one trip to and from Wellington, and are responsible for all their own travel arrangements to attend the residential phases.


Accommodation will be booked on all participants behalf to secure special rates. It is expected that all participants live and work together during the residential phases of the programme. Non-scholarship participants will be invoiced for accommodation with the programme fee, or it will be payable before each phase. Accommodation booked at a medium level hotel at a special rate and can be single or twin share basis. The room rate is approximately $175 per night.


The course fee for non-scholarship participants must be paid prior to the commencement of the programme. An invoice is issued upon acceptance of a place on the programme. In special circumstances an alternative payment schedule may be agreed to. A cancellation fee may apply once you have accepted a place on the programme.

The programme is designed for potential and current leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry. Participants will primarily, but not exclusively, be growers or their employees or from organisations closely associated with growing.


The programme is aimed all age groups.

 

The 2025 programme dates will be notified soon. Below are the dates for 2024 as an indicator.


The programme is in two phases over nine weeks starting 13 August 2024 and finishing 19 October 2024:

  • Phase one: five days (13 –18 August 2024 in Auckland)
  • Phase two: three days (17-19 October 2024 in Wellington)
  • Personal leadership plan - six weeks over the programme

At the end of the programme you will have:

  • An increased confidence to take the lead and influence into the future
  • A greater understanding of what leadership is really all about
  • "Ready to use" leadership and business skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving
  • A wider perspective, understanding of and how to address industry issues-now and into the future
  • Gained an awareness of strategy, and how to use it
  • Self-knowledge and your own personal plan to go forward
  • Had the opportunity to network and develop relationships with other like-minded emerging and current influential leaders.

Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships

Applications are now closed for 2025.

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 2025

There are 13 Horticulture New Zealand scholarships available

The Horticulture New Zealand scholarship allows successful applicants to attend the 2025 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.

Nine of these 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 four Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships will be awarded nationally.

Horticentre Trust Undergraduate Scholarships are offered to the top five applicants

There are five Horticentre Trust Undergraduate Scholarships valued at $4,500 each and these are awarded to the top five applicants.

This scholarship allows successful applicants to attend the 2025 Horticulture Conference (covering the costs of flights, accommodation and conference registration) to the value of $1,500 and also provides $3,000 cash to support the successful applicant with their studies.

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

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.
  • Applications are now closed for 2025.

 

  • Successful applicants will be advised in January 2025.

 

Successful applicants who receive an undergraduate scholarship will need to:

  • Be available to attend the Horticulture Conference in 2025, likely to be held in August.
  • 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 2025 academic year.

Horticulture Postgraduate Scholarships

Applications are now closed for 2025.

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 2025 academic year:

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

Horticulture New Zealand Postgraduate Scholarship 

This scholarship 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

Horticulture Postgraduate Scholarship information

 

  • Applicants must be enrolled in postgraduate study in horticulture or a related field in 2025
  • 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.
  • Applications are now closed for 2025.

 

  • Successful applicants will be advised in early January 2025.

 

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.

Horticulture Industry Training Scholarships

Applications are now closed for 2025.

Each year HortNZ offers scholarships to New Zealand students who have a special interest in the commercial fruit and vegetable production sector and are undergoing significant industry training or education with a vocational provider. 

There are 30 Industry Training Scholarships available

In 2025 HortNZ is offering scholarships to the value of $500 for trainees active in the horticulture industry and are studying towards a certificate or diploma.

Applications open from Monday 3 February and close Sunday 30 March at 11pm.

A Selection Team will review applications and select scholarship recipients.

The Selection Team will consider:

  • Commitment to the horticulture industry
  • Potential contribution to the industry 
  • Past achievements 
  • Individual approach, qualities and skills
  • Referees’ comments.   

Applications will be reviewed in April with decisions announced in May.

At the end of the year, HortNZ will seek verification that selected applicants have successfully completed their studies (this includes applicants who complete their study in July). Once successful completion is confirmed, the scholarship will be awarded to applicants early the following year.

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

Industry Training Scholarships information

  • Applicant must be a current trainee or apprentice enrolled in a certificate or diploma in an area of study related to production horticulture.
  • Applicant must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
  • Applicant demonstrates their intent to support the New Zealand fruit and vegetable industry post study.

  • Click here to complete the Horticulture Industry Training Scholarship application form.

A Selection Team will review applications and select scholarship recipients.

The Selection Team will consider:

  • Commitment to the horticulture industry
  • Potential contribution to the industry
  • Past achievements
  • Individual approach, qualities and skills
  • Referees' comments.

Applications will be reviewed in April with decisions announced in May.

  • HortNZ will seek verification that the applicant has successfully completed their studies at the end of the year.
  • Payment of the $500 scholarship will be made early in the following year following the verification of completion of study.

Application forms