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 up to $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.

Applications for scholarships open in September each year.

 

Our 2020 Scholarship Winners

Helen O’Connor: Three year scholarship

Helen O’Connor is studying a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, at the University of Canterbury, and plans to specialise in Natural Resource Engineering. With the knowledge and skills gained from this degree, Helen wants to design ways to treat nutrient run-off from farms and polluted waterways, through various water treatment initiatives and schemes.

Tessa Strang: Three year scholarship

Tessa Strang is studying a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing, at Lincoln University. Tessa has had an interest in food and business since she was young and says the courses she completed at school cemented her decision to enter the agribusiness sector. The opportunity to develop her skills and knowledge in marketing and management as well as a gain a greater understanding of the intricacies of the agribusiness sector will give her the pathway to really add value to the sector in the future.

Emma Ractliffe: Two year scholarship

Emma Ractliffe is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, at Massey University. Her hands-on experience in the roots of the primary sector, from both working on the farm, and interning with multiple veterinary practices, has built a passion for New Zealand’s globally recognised livestock and food industry. Emma has a sheep and beef farming background and says that first-hand experience she gained developed her interest to become a professional within the industry, and in the future hopes to give back to the farm, and her family.

Matthew Halford: Three year scholarship

Matthew Halford is studying a double Bachelor Degree of Science Majoring in Environmental Science and Geology along with a Bachelor of Law, at Canterbury University. Matthew is passionate about agriculture and has many proud achievements to show for it, including East Coast Junior FMG Young Farmer of the year 2019 and National FMG Junior Young Farmer winner 2019. On completion of his degree Matthew would like to move into environmental consultancy for farmers, councils, governments and hopes to work with farmers to help improve their practice to benefit our land and our environment.

Joelle Gatenby: One year scholarship

Joelle Gatenby is studying a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing, at Lincoln University. On completion of her degree she would to like to be involved in the process of creating and marketing of New Zealand products within the primary industry. Joelle has a background in Chinese language and sees this as an asset to any company targeting Asian markets.

Oliver Saunders: One year scholarship

Oliver Saunders is studying a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, at the University of Canterbury. On completion of his degree Oliver wants to help people everywhere minimise their environmental footprint, whether this is through environmental consultancy or helping design and develop new products or systems. He intends to use his new knowledge and experience to work in an engineering firm based in New Zealand within the agricultural industry.

Sasha van Beek: One year scholarship

Sasha van Beek is studying a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing, at Lincoln University. She is passionate about the primary industries of New Zealand and aspires to be a leader in Food Marketing, on a global scale. On completion of her degree, Sasha would like to promote environmentally sustainable production practices and New Zealand’s high-quality products to the world markets.