Ballance Scholarships

Each year we offer up to four scholarships to provide a financial boost to students wanting to help shape the future of New Zealand's agricultural sector.

 

Ballance Agri-Nutrients offers up to four scholarships each year to offer a financial boost to those wanting to help shape the future of food production in New Zealand. Each scholarship is valued at $4,000 a year and can be held for up to three years. The awards are made to subsidise study at a tertiary level in any field related to agri-business or the primary sector. 

Scholarship applications are open to all New Zealanders, of any age. 

There is a wealth of opportunities, not just on farms and in farm advisory roles, but across many professions from food science through to patent law, accounting and chemical engineering. The Ballance scholarship programme aims to attract and support talented and curious minds from a range of fields of study so our agribusiness sector continues to lead the world in best practice and innovation.

Scholarship applications are now closed. 

 

Our 2017 Scholarship Winners

Jack Arthurs-Schoppe: Three Year Scholarship

Jack Arthurs-Schoppe from Pukekohe is studying a Bachelor of Science with a major in ecology and minor in agriculture, at Massey University. After completing his degree, Jack plans to obtain a masters in the field of agriculture so he can pursue his passion for preserving New Zealand’s natural environment. “As a nation who is dependent on its natural resources for many of its most lucrative industries such as agriculture and tourism, it is of utmost importance to the continuation of New Zealand’s economic success to introduce sustainable practices into all areas of the agricultural industry.”

Emma Simpson: Three Year Scholarship

Emma Simpson from Tauranga is this year embarking on a Bachelor of AgriScience degree, majoring in horticulture, at Massey University. Following her studies, Emma’s vision is to work alongside likeminded people to develop strains of plants, nutrients and supplements that require minimal intervention and are in line with good economic growing practices. “I am particularly enthusiastic about understanding bio-diversity, re-plants, and animal nutrition and how they can benefit supplements, and manage soils, water and other resources within the environment to meet the demands of supply with quality.”

Tessa Smith: Three Year Scholarship

Tessa Smith from Kapuni is studying a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours at the University of Canterbury and is one of two recipients of an engineering scholarship Ballance has awarded this year. Having grown up on a dairy farm next door to the Kapuni ammonia urea plant, the former Stratford High School student is keen to work within the agriculture or gas industries after she graduates. “I would love to work in either of these industries as I have been exposed to them my whole life and they’ve played a massive part in my upbringing.”

Lucy Hewitt: Three Year Scholarship

Lucy Hewitt from Pahiatua is studying a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing at Lincoln University. Lucy is aware that the primary sector is becoming increasingly commercialised and technology-focused so intends to work for a major New Zealand agricultural business after completing her degree. “At the end of the day farmers want to be able to work quickly and efficiently, so effective technology is important for allowing them to get out and do what they do best.”

Gabriel O'Callaghan: One Year Scholarship

Gabriel O’Callaghan from Kaitaia is studying a Bachelor of Engineering at Massey University and was one of two recipients of the engineering scholarships awarded by Ballance this year. Gabriel is particularly interested in exploring ways that the amount of nitrogen in New Zealand’s waterways can be decreased. “If a fertiliser product could be developed so that the nitrogen was attracted to soil particles or the product itself, then release nitrogen at the rate at which pasture can use it, there would be little to no waste of nitrogen through leaching. This would ultimately decrease the amount of nitrogen found in both the ground and river water.”

Peter O'Connor: One Year Scholarship

Peter O’Connor from Westport has this year begun a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. After completing his degree, the former St Bede’s College prefect aims to gain the experience and finances he needs to fulfil a life-long ambition of owning his own farm. “I have a passion for agriculture that started as a young boy who went out on our family farm with my dad since before I can remember. I love the challenges that come with agriculture, and I believe I have the drive and vision to help New Zealand’s agriculture industry be the best in the world.”