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A Mahurangi student has won a four-year scholarship to study forestry science at the University of Canterbury.
Angus Syminton, 17, of Algies Bay was one of eight students who will receive the $32,000 Ministry of Primary Industries grant. Now in its third year, the scholarships have a strong focus on encouraging Māori and women to take up forestry careers. Angus, who went to Matakana Primary and Kristin Schools, comes from a family of Ngāi Tahu and Te Ātiawa descent, and his father and grandfather were involved in forestry in the past.
His father, Ross, says the grant is a massive boost for Angus, who has always been keen to work outside.
“He’s an outdoor guy – he’s a lifeguard at Omaha and does underwater spearfishing. He’s pretty athletic and does orienteering, running through the forests,” he says. “Hopefully he’ll end up a forestry manager.
He did some work experience and found they’re really short of people in the industry.”
Mr Syminton says Angus hopes to return to the Mahurangi area in his third year to talk to local school students about the forestry industry.
