Scholarships help students with studies in engineering and resource management

Two university students with an interest in river and catchment management have been awarded scholarships dedicated to the chief engineer of the Waihou Valley Scheme.

Nathalie Stark (Bachelor of Civil Engineering with honours) and Joshua Munro (Bachelor of Climate Change double major in Earth Sciences and Geography) were this week presented with their scholarships by John Harris, the son of Roger Harris who the scholarship is named after, at the Hauraki Scheme Subcommittee meeting.

The Roger Harris (Waihou Valley Scheme) Scholarship, now in its 30^th year, honours Roger Harris, Chief Engineer of the Hauraki Catchment Board from 1959 to 1983, for his contribution to the development and initial implementation of the Waihou Valley Scheme, which is now owned and managed by the regional council.

Students whose families are residents in the Waihou/Piako zone rating area are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Preference is given to students who are studying in the fields of engineering or resource management, with a particular focus on river and catchment management. 

Nathalie and Joshua received scholarships of $3000 each towards their course fees.

Hauraki Zone Manager Karen Botting says the scholarship provides benefits to Waikato Regional Council as recipients sometimes take up holiday employment with the council, which can also lead to permanent positions on staff.

Photo: Josua Munro and Nathalie Stark