A special opportunity for young women in Auckland, Waikato & Bay of Plenty (Aotearoa, New Zealand)
Morena everyone,
Firstly, thank you.
Because of your support, our Ecological Literacy petition has now reached more than 950 signatures, a growing collective voice calling for a future where young people are more deeply connected to the systems that sustain life: land, food, water, biodiversity and climate.
That support matters.
And today, we wanted to share a very tangible way that vision is already being brought to life.
Through the generous scholarship support of the Chenery Memorial Trust and Halter, Girls who Grow has opened 20 scholarships for young women aged 13–17 years across Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
These scholarships are designed for young women who are curious about the environment, food systems, agriculture, conservation, climate solutions and future pathways grounded in purpose.
Over the two-year Girls who Grow programme, students will access:
- Four online gatherings each year connecting with inspiring leaders, mentors and changemakers
- Four hands-on on-farm and environmental experiences each year
- The Girls who Grow Imagination Challenge — designing solutions to real-world environmental challenges
- Mentoring and coaching support
- Exposure to pathways across climate-positive agriculture, horticulture, conservation and environmental leadership
- A growing network of like-minded young women across Aotearoa
This next cohort begins on 20 July 2026.
Scholarship applications close on 1 July 2026.
If you know a young woman in your whānau, school or wider community who may feel drawn to this opportunity or if you are a parent of a young woman who would benefit, we would love for you to share this.
At its heart, Girls who Grow is about supporting young women to realise they are not separate from the challenges facing our world, they are part of the solution.
Ngā mihi nui,
Catherine van der Meulen
Co-Founder | Girls who Grow