RNZ is proud to announce the launch of our Centenary Scholarships – five scholarships worth up to $8000 each to support the journalists of tomorrow as RNZ celebrates its 100th birthday.
As well as providing financial support, through funding one year of course fees, RNZ will offer scholarship recipients an internship in an RNZ newsroom, mentoring from a senior journalist and training with RNZ’s Director of Editorial Quality and Training.
For 100 years RNZ has been at the forefront of public media, there when it matters for New Zealanders and evolving to best serve the community. Through these scholarships we want to see this dedication to the public service of providing information, challenging and entertaining content continuing.
RNZ recognise that it’s not an easy time to be contemplating a career in journalism with commercial media under stress and the influence of social media disinformation disrupting levels of trust with audiences, but the journalist’s role remains crucially important to our democracy.
In conjunction with the five journalism training courses running in New Zealand, students will be selected who embody RNZ’s values of public service and demonstrate a commitment to delivering to New Zealand audiences.
Who will decide on scholarship recipients?
RNZ in consultation with the Journalism Education Association of New Zealand has identified the five main journalism courses in New Zealand. A scholarship will be allocated for each course.
The courses are:
The scholarship recipients will be determined by the individual journalism course leaders with RNZ providing criteria for selection.
What does the scholarship offer?
Payment of one year of course fees (up to $8000) as well as an internship in an RNZ newsroom, mentoring from a senior RNZ journalist and training from RNZ’s Director of Editorial Quality and Training.
When does the scholarship apply?
The scholarship will be applied to the 2026 academic year.
I’m not studying journalism, but I am studying communications/marketing, can I still apply?
No. Students must be studying journalism or have journalism as a major to qualify for the scholarship. The preferred candidates would be in the final year of a three-year journalism major or undertaking a one-year postgraduate course. However, other candidates will be considered at the recommendation of the journalism school and at their discretion.
I am an overseas student, can I apply?
No. The RNZ Centenary Scholarships focuses on NZ citizens or permanent residents due to the goal of promoting journalism as a career in Aotearoa. The scholarship will reduce the financial burden associated with a degree in journalism for students so that they’re encouraged to explore opportunities in New Zealand’s media industry and contribute to news organisations nationwide.
Can I apply next year?
No, these are one-off scholarships funded by RNZ as part of its centenary celebrations.
How can I apply or find out more information?
Students who are interested in applying for an RNZ Centenary scholarship should contact their journalism course of choice:
Auckland University of Technology - Bachelor of Communication Studies in Journalism, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters: Dr Greg Treadwell, Academic Advisor, Journalism, School of Communication Studies – gregory.treadwell@aut.ac.nz
Massey University Wellington: Bachelor of Communication – Journalism or Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Masters: Associate Professor James Hollings, School of Creative Communication – J.H.Hollings@massey.ac.nz
Wintec Hamilton- New Zealand Diploma in Journalism (Level 5) at Wintec: Cate Prestidge, Programme Coordinator Communication/Journalism - Cate.Prestidge@wintec.ac.nz
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) - Graduate Diploma in Journalism or Journalism major in Bachelor of Communication: Conan Young, Lecturer, Journalism, Media and Communication Department - conan.young@canterbury.ac.nz
New Zealand Broadcasting School, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch, Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications (Journalism): Karen Neill, Programme Leader, Karen.Neill@ara.ac.nz
