Global Fisheries Scholarship

A unique opportunity

The Global Fisheries Scholarship presents a unique opportunity and innovative programme to develop and grow the skills of Māori wanting to work or already employed in the seafood industry of Aotearoa. There is no other equivalent scholarship or opportunity like it offered by the fishing industry in Aotearoa.
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As well as the life-experience that comes with living, working and being fully immersed in another culture on a daily basis for six-months, the scholarship also provides insight into the wide and varied career options available in the seafood industry – in Aotearoa and internationally.

Whakapapa

The scholarship was established in 2001 as a joint initiative between Te Ohu Kaimoana (then known as the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission) and Japanese company Nissui Corporation (formerly known as Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd). Since the passing of the ‘Maori Fisheries Act in 2004’ Te Ohu Kaimoana has primarily been responsible for administering the scholarship (with Moana New Zealand administering the scholarship between 2018 – 2025).

As it is for Māori, Japanese culture is historically and socially tied to the sustainable harvest of kaimoana. Nissui, itself over 100 years old, is one of the world’s largest seafood companies with subsidiaries in most continents in the world.

Te Ohu Kaimoana and Nissui Corporation each contribute 50% of the costs towards the scholarship with Te Ohu Kaimoana’s contribution being funded from the interest from a specific $1m trust fund.

Who is the scholarship for?

Te Ohu Kaimoana is seeking committed, hardworking applicants who are Māori and have studied or who work in fisheries management, aquaculture, marine biology, business management and fisheries or food processing, legal or accounting and are looking at a career in the New Zealand seafood industry.

The scholar will be learning aspects of the seafood industry from aquaculture to processing, food safety to food technology, sales and marketing, all while immersing themselves in daily Japanese life for six months with Nissui Corporation. The GFS offers a huge learning experience for those who are fortunate enough to be selected.

If you have any further queries, please contact our Global Fisheries Scholarship Programme Manager, Charlie Mackey via email: [email protected]