Southern Wood Council Scholarship
This scholarship supports undergraduate study related to Forestry at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury for students, particularly those with a connection to the Otago, Southland or South Canterbury regions. It is funded by the Southern Wood Council and supported by the Forest and Wood Foundation.
Dates
Applications open:
7th September 2026
Applications close:
5:00pm, Friday
2nd October 2026
Scholarship Value
One scholarship of $6,000.00
Awarded subject to suitable applications.
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Eligibility
Applicants must:
have a connection to the Otago,Southland or South Canterbury regions and;
be undertaking full-time study in the second year of either a BE(Hons) programme in Forest Engineering or a BForSc programme in 2026 and;
hold New Zealand citizenship.
Applications
Applications
Application forms are available on the Forest and Wood Foundation website - see above application form.
Applications must be submitted in a PDF format.
Completed applications are to be emailed to Forest and Wood Foundation before applications close.
Applications close: 5pm, Friday 2nd October 2026
Selection criteria
In awarding this scholarship, consideration will be given to:
strength of connection to the Otago,Southland or South Canterbury regions and;
academic achievement and;
leadership roles and involvement in sporting, cultural and community activities.
One scholarship is available annually. If there are no suitably eligible applicants, the scholarship may not be awarded in that year.
Selection process
Selection Process
Applications will be appraised by the FWF Trustees.
The FWF will notify the SWC of all eligible applicants and make a recommendation on which applicant(s) best meet the selection criteria.
The SWC may decide to interview applicants to help decide the successful awardee.
Final decision on which applicant the scholarship will be awarded to is at the sole discretion of the SWC.
Value and payment schedule
Payment of the scholarship will be to the appointed NZ bank account of the successful awardee.
The scholarship will be paid in instalments. $1,000.00 at the start of each academic year on confirmation of proof of enrolment. $1.000.00 at the end of each academic year on confirmation of proof of successfully passing the requirements to complete degree requirements for that year.
The total value of the scholarship is $6,000. ($2,000 per year for 3 years).
Tenability and Rentention Criteria
The scholarship must be taken up in the 2027 academic year.
The scholarship is tenable by full-time students enrolled in either the Second Year of a BForSc degree or BE(Hons) degree in Forest Engineering.
The scholarship is tenable for up to 3 years from the second to fourth years.
With the permission of the SWC, but not otherwise, it is co-tenable with any other award, unless the conditions of the other award preclude this.
If, during tenure, the recipient’s enrolment no longer meets the following conditions, the scholarship may be withdrawn, and any paid funds may be recovered.
Remaining enrolled full time in either a BForSc or BE(hons) in Forest Engineering.
Successfully passing the requirements of each academic year.
Adherence to the University’s statutes, regulations, policies, and rules.
Relationship between SWC and successful awardees
The SWC seeks to foster an ongoing interest in the awardee’s progress through their study. Subject to suitable positions being available, as part of this and to support the completion of the awardees degree requirements, the SWC will endeavour to find internship opportunities during university summer break for successful awardees.
Publicity
In applying for the award, applicants consent be identified on the SWC and FWF websites and social media if they are awarded the scholarship.
Awardees may be asked to provide a photo and short bio for publicity and promotional purposes through HBFG and FWF.
Background information
The Southern Wood Council Inc (SWC) was established in 2001 to promote, encourage and coordinate the sustainable economic development of the forest products industry in the Otago and Southland (and South Canterbury) regions of New Zealand.
The Southern Wood Council includes all the major forest owners within the region, forest managers, larger wood processing and manufacturing companies, port authorities and representatives from local councils, industry training and Government organisations. SWC member companies own or manage the majority of the larger plantation forests within the region. It is one of few truly independent groups of its type that have been set up and currently one of the most active regional forestry groupings operating in New Zealand.
