We are proud to support every year a number of students into engineering careers, help them raise their profile and recognise the young talents that will contribute to the future of our electricity supply industry.
Scholarship overview
We award five undergraduate scholarships annually, in partnership with the University of Canterbury (x2), the University of Auckland (x2) and the Auckland University of Technology (x1). The scholarships are tenable for a period of one year, for a value of NZ$4,500 each.
Eligibility criteria
Students wanting to submit an application should meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and
- be enrolled full-time for the Third Professional year of the B.E. (Hons) degree at the University of Canterbury, the University of Auckland or the Auckland University of Technology, and
- be specialising in engineering disciplines relevant to electricity generation or production, power systems, or electricity utilisation.
Candidates will be asked to show evidence of their interest and enthusiasm for the electricity supply industry, their engineering and character achievements in and outside university and reflect on how they could contribute to the industry.
How to apply
Applications for the EEA Scholarship should be made directly to the relevant University’s Scholarships Office, usually by the end of March or mid-April each year.
Detailed instructions are available on the respective University website:
Auckland University of Technology
University of Auckland
University of Canterbury
Hear from our winners!
Our most recent scholarship recipients talk about how they would like to contribute to the electricity supply in the future and provide important pieces of advice for students wanted to start a degree in engineering.
James Davison – University of Auckland
“I’d like to be part of the technical and policy changes needed to make a more secure and sustainable network that better serves New Zealand’s needs, facilitates growth in our industries and improves our quality of life.”
Alice Fahy – University of Canterbury
“I aim to contribute to the transition towards 100% sustainable energy and the development of energy policies within the electricity industry”
Treasa Glubb – University of Canterbury
I believe that electrical engineering is the path that will allow me to engage in a career dedicated to creating a cleaner future for our country.
Alison Murray – University of Canterbury
“I chose to study electrical engineering because it is incredibly broad – I can work on anything from nanotechnology, to software development, to powering our whole country!”
Julio Romero – University of Auckland
“I would love to use the skills I have gained in control systems to contribute to the electricity industry when I complete my studies.”
Sammy Soud – Auckland University of Technology
“I love making and creating connections between people, especially when it involves putting our heads together to solve problems.”
Sam Eardly – Auckland University of Technology
I have built skills to invoke and one day lead change in the electrical engineering industry, with the goal of making New Zealand the leader in clean energy to show the world that life is something to be preserved for the next generation.
John-Paul Lay – University of Canterbury
I initially chose electrical engineering as a discipline because of my interest in power engineering in New Zealand. The field attracted me because it combines so many different areas, both technical and non-technical. I believe that I will be able to find some area within the sector that I can meaningfully contribute towards.
Caleb Livingstone – University of Canterbury
My personal qualities, including my strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively with others, make me well-suited for a career in the power industry. I am eager to continue exploring new ideas and contributing to the growth and success of this vital sector in New Zealand.
Rohan Mathias – University of Canterbury
After completing my degree, I plan to spend several years building experience in New Zealand’s energy sector before branching off on my own, focusing on sustainable energy solutions. I have a lot to learn, and a lot of mistakes to make ahead of me, but as long as I remain passionate about finding novel energy solutions for people in need (from farmers in Canterbury to shopkeepers in Indian basti’s) I know I can make a difference.
Lachlan Pearce – University of Auckland
I am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experience to make a meaningful impact in the energy sector in New Zealand. With my strong foundation in energy-efficient technologies, my desire to succeed, and my active involvement in my community, I am confident that I can contribute to the sustainable development of our nation’s energy resources.
Jennifer Berry – University of Canterbury
“I was drawn to engineering because of the possibility to combine technical knowledge with interpersonal skills to address and contribute to the largest problems facing our society. I want to do good in the world alongside epic people!”
Abigail Field – University of Canterbury
“Do not let anything intimidate you. If engineering seems too daunting, or you think you can’t do it, I promise you, you can. Electrical engineering may seem foreign, but if you’re interested you will absolutely be able to do it.”
Helen Fong – Auckland University of Technology
“I have a strong interest in the power sector and see my future career related to this industry. It is an interesting time for the power industry as there are many improvements and changes to make as the demand for electricity has increased greatly over the years and will continue to do so in the future.”
Parth Tailor – University of Auckland
“Advances in energy technologies can allow New Zealand to take advantage of previously untapped energy resources or make better use of those we currently use. With a career in Power Systems Engineering, I aim to use the advances of technology to pitch into newer energy generation techniques, and ultimately create a better tomorrow for our future generation.”
Matthew Tattersall – University of Auckland
“I would love to see the advancements we can make in the space industry make a positive impact on the electricity supply industry. The space industry is currently working on the leading edge of technology, and my hope is that the things we learn there, will positively impact the future of the engineering industry.”
Hannah Andrews – University of Auckland
“The ability to look at the world around you, question how anything and everything works, then try figure it out yourself never ceases to amaze me. The more you know, the more you want to know.”
Alexander Apukov – Auckland University of Technology
“Do not follow anyone’s path or opinion, choose what really drives and genuinely excites you. Engineering is all about one simple skill – risk assessment. Learn it and you would be able to become anyone you want from a Stockbroker to a Project Manager.”
Logan Clarke – University of Canterbury
“Engineering is challenging, but it is so worth it. Pick the degree and specialisation that you will enjoy the most (and have jobs at the end of it). Then do your own little projects. This will make everything you do and learn so much more relevant.”
Ellen Garrity – University of Canterbury
“It is important to me that we are environmentally responsible, so the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles and distributed generation is a step in the right direction. The challenges for the network associated with these changes however is a particular area of interest for me, so I am keen to get involved with working on how the network is going to cope.”
Georgina Price – University of Auckland
“Make the harder choice, not the easier one! By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you will start the most important leadership role of your life – personal leadership. It is a vulnerable and tough choice to be an engineer. To become one can be challenging and stressful but the rewards of being an engineer are endless.”
Karan Bandhari – University of Auckland
“Keep an open mind when you enter your first year of engineering, as you will be exposed to several fields that may interest you and want to explore further.”
Kieran Buckham – University of Canterbury
“Follow your passions. Put your effort into being the best at what you enjoy doing and everything else will fall into place. If you like problem solving then quite frankly engineering is the place for you.”
Craig Conner – Auckland University of Technology
“The degree requires enthusiasm for the subject. It’s all about problem solving and teaching yourself new skills. Build projects at home and have as much fun as possible. BREAK STUFF, rip things apart, solve problems and most importantly build your passion for the subject. You will need the passion to get you through the tough days of study that lie ahead.”
Thomas Galbraith – University of Canterbury
“An engineering degree is extremely diverse and equips you with skills that can be applied to almost any career path you may like to take. Any student willing to start an engineering degree specialising in power systems should really look no further and take up the opportunity.”
Murali Magesan – University of Auckland
“Do not stop learning! Always keep yourself updated, especially in the field of your interest. Because that little bit of extra reading you do in your own time, might be all it takes for you to start the next big revolution in your field.”
David Madjar – University of Auckland
“Coming into the industry as a young engineer, I am filled with enthusiasm, particularly as I see the opportunities that this industry will present over the coming years. With distributed energy resources becoming more prevalent, being involved in the engineering that sees these resources used effectively is of great interest.”
Scott Melhop – University of Auckland
“I believe the way we use energy is changing and the supply industry will need to change to cope with future demands. I would like to be part of the next generation of engineers who take the industry into the future.”
Joshua Rich – University of Canterbury
“I’ve come to realise during my studies that a reliable, renewable and safe power supply is often an integral part of first world countries. Hence I’ve realised the effect that I can have on society and improving people’s quality of life and this has reinforced my decision of studying electrical engineering.”
Tiantian Xiao – University of Canterbury
“At this stage, I am trying to be involved in the electricity supply industry as much as possible. I am looking forward to sharing my learnings on Underground Distribution Pillars and distribution ferro-resonance.”
Jiaxu (Charles) Chen – University of Auckland
“During my summer internship at Meridian Energy, I worked on a CVT replacement project and that was my first real-life power system project. The biggest learning experience I gained and opportunities that I encountered was the collaboration with the engineers from different engineering disciplines within and outside of the company as large scale power system projects usually involve parties from different fields.”
Mitch Graham – University of Canterbury
“In the industry I have had the pleasure of working for Unison Networks in Hawkes Bay on a number of field-leading industry research such as the Interplay project which is looking at the impacts of new green technologies on the distribution grid.”
Jasleen Kaur – University of Auckland
“Today is the first day of the rest of your life, make it count, make it enjoyable, make it something that the world could benefit from and make it absolutely worthwhile.”