Scholar Stories: Learning, Leading and Looking Ahead

Behind every WIDE Trust scholarship is a student building the knowledge, confidence and practical experience to make a lasting contribution to New Zealand's forestry sector. 

Every scholarship helps remove barriers, creating opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, practical skills and industry connections that will shape tomorrow's leaders. As Semester One comes to a close, we're proud to share the achievements of some of our scholarship recipients and celebrate the incredible progress they've made both inside and outside the classroom. 

Jasmine Hagan: Seeing the Bigger Picture 

As she enters the final stages of her Forestry Science degree, Jasmine Hagan has expanded her understanding of the commercial side of forestry through courses in Forest Products Marketing, Forest Harvest Planning and Management Case Study. 

A highlight of the semester was travelling through the southern North Island, visiting forest operations, processing facilities and research sites while meeting professionals across the industry. Alongside her studies, Jasmine continues to compete for Canterbury in water polo, balancing high-level sport with university life thanks to the support of the WIDE Trust. 

Cruz Dawson: Researching the Future of Forest Growth 

Final-year Forestry Science student Cruz Dawson has enjoyed a rewarding semester, achieving strong academic results while tackling one of the most significant projects of his degree. 

Working alongside Matariki Forests, Cruz is completing a dissertation investigating alternative forest growth modelling systems, comparing them with current models to identify opportunities for improvement. The project is providing valuable research experience while contributing to future forest management practices. 

James Berry: Building Strong Foundations

First-year student James Berry has spent Semester One developing the practical skills and study habits that will support him throughout his Forestry Science degree. 

Field trips to Bealey Spur, Mt Thomas and McQueen's Forest gave James valuable insight into native ecosystems, plantation management and harvesting operations, helping connect classroom learning with real forestry environments. While adapting to university study brought new challenges, James has embraced the learning process and is looking forward to building on his progress throughout the rest of the year. 

Whanarua Edmonds: Discovering New Opportunities 

For Whanarua Edmonds, Semester One was about broadening perspectives and embracing every opportunity. 

Courses in silviculture, entrepreneurship, forest products marketing and advanced wood processing provided a well-rounded understanding of the industry, while a field trip to St Arnaud and Nelson reinforced the value of practical learning. One of the semester's biggest achievements came when Whanarua and his teammates won the top prize in the Advanced Wood Processing student competition, a reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to unexpected success. 

Stella Angus: Confidence Through Challenge 

Second-year student Stella Angus found Semester One both academically demanding and personally rewarding. 

From designing a comprehensive harvest plan to strengthening her skills in forest engineering, biology and geospatial science, Stella developed confidence in both her technical ability and her approach to learning. She also celebrated achieving an A+ in a major Forest Biology assignment and reflected on the personal growth that came from overcoming anxiety, developing effective study routines and asking for support when needed. 

Ruby Sumner: Turning Learning into Real-World Experience 

Ruby Sumner has spent the semester tackling complex forestry challenges while preparing for the transition into industry. 

Her management case study, completed in partnership with MPI, involved developing an afforestation strategy and presenting recommendations to a real client, an experience that closely reflected professional consulting work. Alongside this, Ruby has continued her Honours

dissertation exploring the social impacts of forestry employment, completed a GIS internship with Nateva, and begun applying for graduate roles across the industry.

Mihana Hof: Growing Confidence and a Passion for Forestry

This semester has been one of confidence and connection for Mihana Hof. 

Developing effective study habits and building stronger relationships with classmates helped Mihana enjoy university more than ever before. Practical laboratory work in Forest Biology and Soils and Site Quality, along with developing ArcGIS skills through Geospatial Science, strengthened both technical knowledge and enthusiasm for a future career in forestry.

Supporting the Next Generation 

The stories shared by our scholars highlight the value of supporting talented and passionate students as they prepare for careers across New Zealand's forestry sector. From research and innovation to fieldwork, internships and personal growth, each journey reflects the lasting impact that education can have. We congratulate all of our scholarship recipients on a fantastic first semester and look forward to seeing where their studies and careers take them next. 

If you're passionate about a future in forestry, a WIDE Trust scholarship could help you take the next step. Our scholarships are designed to support students throughout their studies, so they can focus on learning, gaining practical experience and building the skills needed for a successful career. 

Applications are now open. If you're ready to invest in your future, we'd love to hear from you. Explore our scholarship opportunities, check your eligibility and apply today.