Kickstart Your Future with a Horowhenua Tertiary Education Scholarship

Horowhenua has plenty of youth talent. Pictured are the 2024 Horowhenua Youth Excellence Scholarships winners - Back row from left to right: Lazzoryss Tovo (Sport), Isabel Paroli (Academia), Cole Campbell (Academia), Mayor Bernie Wanden, Ataahua Hirini (Arts and Culture), Steffani Miradores(Academia), Torina Ngaluafe (Community Service), Minnie Collins (Sport), Amelie Williamson (Arts and Culture) and Heer Patel (Academia). Front row from left to right: Bear Starstrider (Community Service), Thea Pacure (Academia), Myah Snow (Arts and Culture), Jorja Horn (Sport), Rawiri Tristram-Brown (Sport), Irene Vehikite(Arts and Culture) and Johnathon Kipa-Tahu (Sport).

If you’re living in Horowhenua and heading into tertiary study in 2026, or currently in tertiary study, here’s your chance to get a head start.

Applications are now open for the Horowhenua District Council Tertiary Education Scholarship, offering a $1,000 scholarship and a paid summer internship with Council during the 2025-2026 over summer.

You’re eligible to apply if you can answer yes to these two questions:

• Are you living in Horowhenua?
• Are you a school leaver planning on studying for a tertiary qualification in 2026 or continuing tertiary study in 2026?

Council Chief Executive Monique Davidson says the scholarship is about supporting local talent and helping young people see a future for themselves in local government Horowhenua.

“We want to back our rangatahi and show them they can have a real impact on their community,” says Monique.

“This scholarship helps with study costs, but just as importantly, it gives students a foot in the door. You’ll work alongside our teams, learn how local government works, and contribute to projects that make a real difference for Horowhenua.”

Davidson says this is part of Council’s wider commitment to young people, from youth spaces and development programmes to creating hands-on opportunities that connect students to their community.

Applications close at 5pm on Monday 20 October 2025. So get your application in today at horowhenua.govt.nz/Scholarship.

For more information, contact Sue Fifita-Tovo at [email protected] or call (06) 366 0999.