2025 recipients of Sydney Campbell Foundation undergraduate scholarships.
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University is approaching its centenary, and with such a long history in the land-based sciences, there are significant scholarships to award each year. These are provided to both undergraduate and postgraduate students and range from first-year, qualification-based scholarships to those sponsored by industry and the university’s research and innovation partners.
The Applied Science Academic Programme Scholarships Committee, consisting of Senior Research Officer Craig McGill, Associate Professor Rene Corner-Thomas and Dr James Hanly, consider the applications each year to scholarships administered by the Scholarship and Scholar Development team within the Graduate Research School and Ethics, and the Massey University Foundation, who both play a key role in the process.
The awards were presented to more than 80 students at a lunchtime function in the Sir Geoffrey Peren Auditorium on the Manawatū campus, the original home of agricultural science, and just metres away from where Sir Geoffrey had his academic office and worked on breeding his infamous Perendale sheep.
Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment Professor Paul Kenyon and Dr Sarah Pain, Academic Dean for the agricultural programmes, alongside Professor Tracy Riley, Dean Postgraduate Research, made the awards with the help of sponsors, donors and benefactors.
Support that grows agricultural futures
Third-year agricultural science student Amanda Payne is due to complete her studies this year and already has a job secured. She’ll begin her role as a trainee agronomist in Pukekohe in December and says being a scholarship recipient has made her tertiary study journey much easier.
“University study can be stressful, without the additional concern about debt and money. So, it’s great to be awarded two scholarships. One of my awards originated from the Hawke’s Bay like me, so it meant a lot to receive that particular scholarship and be recognised in that way.”
Jock Bourke, also in his third year of agricultural science, recently competed in the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final. He received an undergraduate scholarship this year.
“The scholarship is really beneficial and helps pay for fees and other course-related costs, making student life easier. I would like to thank the Sydney Campbell Trust for the award,” he says.
Third-year horticultural student Dylan Coyte received two awards and says he was overjoyed to learn he had been awarded the Noeleen Olsen Undergraduate Horticultural Scholarship and the Gosling Ornamental Horticulture Bursary.
I called my mum in disbelief, and we were both so excited. I want to work with the ornamental plant industry in the future and have a passion for lush tropical plants. These scholarships make that much easier.
Dr Sarah Pain says the impact of scholarships can be life-changing and acknowledges the generosity of those who donate to the university through the Massey University Foundation.
“Donations to the Foundation support many worthy students at Massey. We are exceedingly privileged to receive monetary gifts from alumni, industry, staff and friends, which provide ongoing financial support and allow us to make significant impact through scholarships. There were so many worthy recipients today, and it’s always wonderful to celebrate their success with them.”
More jobs than graduates
Professor Kenyon says Massey graduates are highly sought after and land excellent jobs, but graduate numbers still fall short of meeting industry demand, with critical skill shortages remaining. Opportunities for Massey graduates in agricultural and horticultural science, animal science and agribusiness are many and varied.
“There are over 300,000 roles directly or indirectly related to agriculture or horticulture in New Zealand. There are jobs at every stage of the value chain – from on-farm or orchard work right through to advisory, financial, regulatory, research, technology and exporting roles.
“The breadth and depth of our scholarship offerings are a testament to the range of opportunities available in these industries, and we want to encourage more school leavers, retrainers or older students to consider joining us. These scholarships are especially important as agriculture postgraduate student numbers at Massey have reached a significant high compared to recent years and undergraduate numbers are growing too.”
Massey University acknowledges the sponsors, donors and industry partners who provide the scholarships and thanks the representatives who attended the award presentations. These included David Calow, President of the Rongotea Lions Club; Bruce Marriott, PGG Wrightson; Sue Cousins, AsureQuality Ltd; Dr Rob Murray, Ravensdown; and Gareth Young, Mercury NZ Ltd.
Mercury, one of the largest generators of renewable electricity in Aotearoa New Zealand, is proud to support Massey University undergraduate students as future contributors to a more sustainable energy environment. Massey currently hosts three wind turbines on one of its farms.
“Over recent years, we’ve widened the scope of our scholarships to support students in science, earth and environmental science and resource and environmental planning. We hope to support the increase of capability in the renewable energy area,” Mr Young says.
Scholarship applications for 2026 are now open and close Monday 1 September 2025
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