Ngai Tahu Farming Scholarship awarded to Canterbury student

Catherine Parata.

A Canterbury student is the first winner of the Ngai Tahu Farming/Ravensdown Scholarship.

Catherine Parata has received $5000 towards her tuition fees, as well as mentoring and cultural integration to strengthen Ngai Tahutanga.

The goal of the scholarship was to provide future leaders with ''multiple touchpoints within an agribusiness'' so they developed the necessary expertise to effect positive change.

Ms Parata is in her third year at Lincoln University studying for a bachelor of agriculture degree, which allowed her to explore her interest in animal health and nutrition and plant science.

She said she hoped to use this knowledge and her opportunities to help improve the sustainability of New Zealand agriculture.

''Using improved animal nutrition to reduce environmental impacts is something I feel is crucial to the sustainability of farming within New Zealand and around the world.

''There's growing emphasis on this branch of agriculture, with the pressure for high production while keeping environmental impacts minimal and preserving the world's natural resources.''

Ms Parata said the scholarship had created many exciting opportunities, as it had allowed her to engage with a range of different people within the agricultural industry.

Ngai Tahu Farming manages more than 100,000ha of farm and forestry land in Te Waipounamu (South Island).

-By David Hill