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Leadership Programme Scholarships

2024 Horticulture New Zealand Leadership Programme Scholarships

Horticulture is growing together with ambitious goals such as doubling the farmgate value of production in a way that improves the prosperity for our people and protects our environment.

Our operating environment is more complex and unpredictable than ever before. More than ever, we need a strong pool of high performing leaders that have the confidence and skills to take our industry into the future. This programme will help prepare you or your employee to successfully capture the opportunities and address the challenges that this growth offers.

Participants will join the ranks of more than 300 graduates since 2002 to develop their leadership knowledge and skills in this popular and highly respected programme that is well supported by industry leaders. It is horticulture specific, pragmatic, and involves the best training, by a credible provider, in a friendly learning environment.


Click here to read the Leadership Programme Scholarships brochure

The HortNZ Leadership Programme took a break in 2023 to be reviewed against the current industry landscape, recent research, and the food and fibre sector leadership framework. Cyclone Gabrielle delayed the review, but this evaluation has since been completed by Scarlatti and funded by the Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence (FFCOVE). HortNZ has partnered with Rural Leaders, a charitable trust known for their provision of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, to pilot the renewed programme in 2024.

The programme is designed for potential and current leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry. Participants will primarily, but not exclusively, be growers or their employees or from organisations closely associated with growing. The programme is open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who have demonstrated leadership or leadership potential and a willingness to assume responsibility in grower or industry matters.

The programme is limited to a maximum of 18 participants. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications that meet the selection criteria will be approved on a first-come first-served basis until the programme has reached capacity. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to re-apply for entry into subsequent courses.


Applicants will be notified no later than 8 July 2024.

The link to the online application form is available below. All applicants must full out their own application form and include a photo (a headshot) and the contact details of two HortNZ levy payers (commercial fruit and vegetable growers) to support their application.


If you have any questions, please contact programmes@ruralleaders.co.nz or phone 021 1396 881.

Click here to access the application form.

HortNZ is offering 12 scholarships that will meet all course fees and accommodation costs. In addition, there will be up to six positions available for a course fee of $5,000+GST.


All successful applicants will be called on to meet the travel costs for one trip to and from Auckland, and one trip to and from Wellington, and are responsible for all their own travel arrangements to attend the residential phases.


Accommodation will be booked on all participants behalf to secure special rates. It is expected that all participants live and work together during the residential phases of the programme. Non-scholarship participants will be invoiced for accommodation with the programme fee, or it will be payable before each phase. Accommodation booked at a medium level hotel at a special rate and can be single or twin share basis. The room rate is approximately $175 per night.


The course fee for non-scholarship participants must be paid prior to the commencement of the programme. An invoice is issued upon acceptance of a place on the programme. In special circumstances an alternative payment schedule may be agreed to. A cancellation fee may apply once you have accepted a place on the programme.

The programme is designed for potential and current leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry. Participants will primarily, but not exclusively, be growers or their employees or from organisations closely associated with growing.


The programme is aimed all age groups.


The programme is in two phases over nine weeks starting 13 August 2024 and finishing 19 October 2024:

  • Phase one: five days (13 –18 August 2024 in Auckland)
  • Phase two: three days (17-19 October 2024 in Wellington)
  • Personal leadership plan - six weeks over the programme

At the end of the programme you will have:

  • An increased confidence to take the lead and influence into the future
  • A greater understanding of what leadership is really all about
  • "Ready to use" leadership and business skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving
  • A wider perspective, understanding of and how to address industry issues-now and into the future
  • Gained an awareness of strategy, and how to use it
  • Self-knowledge and your own personal plan to go forward
  • Had the opportunity to network and develop relationships with other like-minded emerging and current influential leaders.

HortNZ Industry Training Scholarship

Applications are now closed

Every year HortNZ offers Industry Training scholarships to New Zealand students who have a special interest in the fruit or vegetable industry and are undergoing significant industry training or education with a vocational provider. 

In 2024, HortNZ is offering scholarships to the value of $500 to trainees active in the horticulture industry who are studying towards a certificate or diploma. A panel will review applications and the selection decision will be advised in May 2024.

The selection team look for:

  • Commitment 
  • Potential contribution to the industry 
  • Past achievements 
  • Individual approach, qualities, and skills
  • Referees’ comments.   

Selected applicants are reviewed at the end of the year to verify the successful completion of their studies (this includes applicants who complete their study in July). If the applicant has completed their year successfully the scholarship will be awarded early the following year.  

The decisions of the selection team will be final.

Please note that these scholarships do not cover the wine, seed, or arable industries.  

Click here to access the application form

There are four sections to be completed:

  1. Basic contact details
  2. Study details
  3. An essay section with four questions, each with a word limit of 120 words
  4. A reference section where you need to provide the contact details of two agreed referees.

Selection process

Fill out the application form and submit by Sunday 7 April, 11pm.

Applicants will be reviewed in April with those successful announced in May.

Any questions regarding these scholarships can be sent to schols@hortnz.co.nz

Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships

Applications are now closed

Every year Horticulture New Zealand and the Horticentre Trust offer scholarships to students who have a special interest in the fruit and/or vegetable industry and are studying towards an undergraduate degree.

Sixteen Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships are available in 2024. Thirteen of these scholarships are valued at $1,500 with nine awarded to applicants from each of New Zealand's growing regions (one applicant from each region will be selected) as follows:

  • Northland 
  • Auckland/Waikato 
  • Bay of Plenty 
  • Tairawhiti Gisborne 
  • Hawke’s Bay 
  • Lower North Island 
  • Tasman (including Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast) 
  • Canterbury 
  • Otago and Southland 

The remaining four Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships will be awarded nationally.

Three Horticentre Trust Scholarships valued at $4,500 are awarded to the top three applicants nationally.

 

Any questions regarding these scholarships can be sent to schols@hortnz.co.nz

2024 Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarship information

 

  • Thirteen Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships are valued at $1,500 each. This $1,500 is put towards the successful applicant's attendance at the 2024 Horticulture Conference and covers flights, accommodation and conference registration. Attendance at the conference provides the opportunity for successful applicants to attend workshops, to network and gain exposure to renowned leaders and speakers from the horticulture industry.

 

  • Three Horticentre Trust Scholarships valued at $4,500 are awarded to the top three applicants nationally. This scholarship includes attendance at the 2024 Horticulture Conference and covers flights, accommodation and conference registration to the value of $1,500 plus $3,000 cash to support the successful applicant with their studies.

 

  • Applicants must be a tertiary student studying towards an undergraduate degree in any discipline.

 

  • For regional scholarships the applicant must have completed three years of secondary schooling or a year of paid employment in the region in which they are applying. Evidence of this may be requested during the selection process.

 

  • Applicant has the intent to support the New Zealand fruit and vegetable industry.

 

  • Click here to complete the Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarship application form.

 

  • Applicants need to provide current grade average (GPA) or NCEA results. Evidence of this may be requested during the selection process.

 

  • Applications are now closed.

 

  • Successful applicants will be advised in early January 2024.

 

  • Note: All successful applicants will be required to complete industry service up to a maximum of five hours (e.g., a high school visit) and prepare a short video report on their studies and career development throughout the 2024 academic year.

 

Horticulture Postgraduate Scholarships

Applications are now closed

Every year Horticulture New Zealand and the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust each offer one scholarship to a postgraduate student studying in New Zealand. These scholarships are offered to students undertaking postgraduate study because innovation and tackling challenges head-on is critical to the horticulture industry's future success.

For the 2024 academic year, two scholarships are available nationally - the Horticulture New Zealand Postgraduate Scholarship and the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust Postgraduate Scholarship. 

Horticulture New Zealand Postgraduate Scholarship 

This scholarship is valued at $10,000 and is awarded to a student undertaking postgraduate study in horticulture or a related field.

New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust Postgraduate Scholarship 

This scholarship is valued at $10,000 and is awarded to a student undertaking postgraduate study specifically related to the fruit industry.

 

Any questions regarding these scholarships can be sent to schols@hortnz.co.nz

2024 Horticulture Postgraduate Scholarship information

 

  • Applicants must be enrolled in postgraduate study in horticulture or a related field in 2024.

 

  • Applicants must have the intent to support the New Zealand fruit and vegetable industry.

 

  • Click here complete the Horticulture Postgraduate Scholarship application form.

 

  • Applicants are required to answer questions on GPA, provide supervisor and reference contacts, and write a 250-300 word essay of why your research will add value to the horticulture industry. Proof of GPA may be requested during the selection process.

 

  • Applications are now closed.

 

  • Successful applicants will be advised in early January 2024.

 

  • Note: Successful applicants will be required to prepare a short video summarising their research or prepare a written report.

Application forms