Fonterra Massey University Māori Undergraduate Scholarship

For Māori students enrolling in their first year of undergraduate studies at Massey University in a science or technology degree.

Scholarship overview

Status: Closed

Key facts

Value: Up to $68,000 over 4 years' plus mentorship
Duration: Up to four years' duration
Number available: One award per year
Location: Palmerston North
Type of study: Full-time, Undergraduate
Of note: Mentor support. Paid summer internships.

Application dates

Applications open: 1 June 2026
Closing date: 1 September 2026

Restrictions

Eligibility restrictions: New Zealand citizen or permanent resident with whakapapa Māori. Full time study.

Fonterra is a proud New Zealand Co-operative built by generations of farming families. We believe nutritious food is essential to sustain people today, and for future generations to thrive, which is why we challenge ourselves to find new ways to bring our dairy goodness to people around the world.

Fonterra Research & Development Centre in Palmerston North is one of the largest dairy research facilities in the world and is home to 350 staff, including scientists, researchers and engineers. Fonterra offers excellent career paths in various disciplines and is keen to attract Pasifika talents into the dairy industry.

The Opportunity

This opportunity, valued at up to $68,000 for the scholarship duration (up to 4 years), includes specialised mentorship from both the Te Rau Tauawhi, Massey University, and from Fonterra to support recipients to succeed in their study.

The value of the award is a stipend of $5,000 per annum plus a paid internship each year at the approximate value of $12,000.

Learn more about our summer internships and where they can take you.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for a first-year student with whakapapa Māori and knowledge of iwi connections who is of good character and is actively engaged in the community. You will have a desire to contribute to Māori advancement and initiatives related to studies.

What you'll be studying

This is an undergraduate scholarship. You will be studying science or technology and be interested in partaking in a paid summer internship at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre.

Eligibility criteria

You will be:

  • entering the first year of your degree
  • a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident with whakapapa Māori
  • studying full time

You will have knowledge of iwi connections and have a desire to contribute to Māori advancement and initiatives related to studies.

Application checklist

Include the following with your application:

  • a statement from you on how this scholarship would help you successfully complete your study at Massey
  • a character reference supporting your participation in community service and commitment to community engagement (for example, church, sports, or local community)
  • transcripts for your secondary school results if you have recently left or will be finishing high school this year. If you are studying NCEA please attach your School results Summary from the NZQA website at https://secure.nzqa.govt.nz/for-learners/records/login.do . On the My School Entries and Results page, click the 'view as pdf' (button on the right-hand side) to save this document

Selection considerations

When choosing our recipient we will consider your academic performance, character, and community engagement.