Farming Women Tairāwhiti Tertiary Health Scholarships seek to empower rural women living within the Tairāwhiti region by investing in the critical pillar of health for the long-term wellbeing and community resilience of the region.

The scholarships recognise that strong rural communities are built by healthy, educated women who are equipped to lead and support their communities, businesses, farms, and whanau into the future.

These scholarships will provide financial support to women who demonstrate commitment to personal growth, their rural community, and to the long term sustainability of health services in Tairāwhiti.

Read and follow the instructions carefully prior to submitting your application as incorrectly completed applications will not be considered.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome on or before the 18th December 2026.

Four 2027 Tertiary Health Scholarships of $5,000 each scholarship.

Open to applicants aged 20 years and over who are in Undergraduate or Post Graduate study in their second or subsequent years.

Application opening Date:          14th August 2026

Application closing Date:           16th October 2026 5:00PM

These Scholarships are to support students who are committed to tertiary study in the following:

·       Nursing

·       Nurse Practitioner

·       Midwifery

·       General Practice (Medicine)

·       Physiotherapy

·       Psychology

·       Counselling

·       Pharmacy

·       Occupational Therapy

What the FWT Scholarship can cover:

·       Tuition Fees:  Contribution toward university or polytechnic fees

·       Placement Travel:  Travel and accommodation costs for clinical placements.

Farming Women Tairāwhiti scholarships are an investment in the women who underpin the social, economic, and cultural fabric of rural Tairāwhiti. 

By supporting future careers in health we aim to strengthen individuals, families, farms, businesses, and our rural communities for generations to come. 

Growing connected rural women will help shape the future of rural Tairāwhiti.

 

Applicants must:

• Be aged 20 years or older.
• Be a New Zealand Citizen or permanent resident.
• Be enrolled full time or part-time in their second or subsequent year of study at an accredited New Zealand University or Polytechnic.
• Reside in or originate from the Tairāwhiti region.
• Live in a rural community or be actively involved in primary industries or support organisations.
• Be able to demonstrate a commitment to their local Tairāwhiti rural community.
• Demonstrate an intention to contribute to the Tairāwhiti rural community following graduation.
• Be able to show how the scholarship will positively impact themselves and the wider Tairāwhiti rural community.
• Be committed to report academic result outcomes at the end of the scholarship year.
• Be prepared to attend an interview if required.

 Applicants will be required to submit:

1. Completed application form.
2. Legal identification ie passport or drivers licence.
3. An official confirmation letter from your tertiary institution for current proof of enrolment.
4. Academic Transcript of previous year academic results.
5. Personal statement of a maximum of 500 words explaining your ties to the Tairāwhiti rural community and why you are undertaking your area of study.
6. Description of health study and future aspirations in the chosen vocation.
7. Budget outlining use of funds.
8. Proof of bank account detail.
9. A letter of recommendation. A character reference from a community leader, employer or other professional well known to the applicant. No family referees will be accepted.

Your personal statement should be a maximum of 500 words.

You should address in your statement: your ties to the Tairāwhiti rural community and why you are undertaking your area of study, your goals and choice of health study, what you intend to do with your education, and why a scholarship is important to you.

Include any academic and non-academic accomplishments, personal characteristics, or experiences that make you uniquely worthy of scholarship consideration.

 

1. Completed application form.
2. Legal identification ie passport or drivers licence.
3. An official confirmation letter from your tertiary institution for current proof of enrolment.
4. Academic Transcript of previous year academic results.
5. Personal statement of a maximum of 500 words explaining your ties to the Tairāwhiti rural community and why you are undertaking your area of study.
6. Description of health study and future aspirations in the chosen vocation.
7. Budget outlining use of funds.
8. Proof of bank account detail.
9. A letter of recommendation. A character reference from a community leader, employer or other professional well known to the applicant. No family referees will be accepted.

By signing the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this application. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Check your spam in case your mail server has sent the reply there.  Please print for your records and retain as verification of your application.