Council Announces 2025 Mayoral Scholarship Recipients

The South Waikato District Council (SWDC) is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 Mayoral Scholarship Fund. Jacqueline Colliar from Tokoroa High School and Rebekah Coop from Putāruru College have each been awarded a $10,000 scholarship to support their academic pursuits.

Mayor Gary Petley and Deputy Mayor Hamish Daine made the announcement at the respective prize-giving ceremonies. Mayor Petley remarked, “This scholarship is our way of helping our rangatahi achieve their dreams and career aspirations. Our young people have worked incredibly hard this year, and they should be very proud of their achievements. Congratulations to our District’s two outstanding young wahine who excelled in a highly competitive field. They can now enjoy the rewards of their hard mahi.”

This year, the Council received applications from exceptional students across the South Waikato. A panel, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, shortlisted and interviewed the applicants, who demonstrated interests in diverse fields such as midwifery, surveying, sport and human performance, social sciences and accounting.

Jacqueline Colliar will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social sciences at the University of Waikato. Rebekah Coop intends studying a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Otago.

Since its inception in 2006, SWDC’s Mayoral Scholarship has supported over 22 young people in their educational aspirations. Colin Phayer, a former recipient, credits the scholarship with helping him start his university education. “The scholarship funds provided a significant boost at the start of each semester. It allowed me to focus solely on my studies without needing a job, which was incredibly helpful. The financial support came at the perfect time, helping with everything from settling into a flat to buying necessary supplies for university living.”

Mayor Petley concluded, “We are very proud to award the 2025 Mayoral Scholarship to Jacqueline and Rebekah and look forward to seeing the great mahi they will accomplish once they complete their degrees.”