Rhodes Scholarships awarded to three exceptional young New Zealanders

Three outstanding young New Zealanders have been awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. The announcement was made by the Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae at Government House today.

The successful Rhodes Scholars elect are:

Finn Lowery, 24, attended Auckland’s Rangitoto College and is currently studying towards his Bachelor of Laws with Honours/ BA at the University of Auckland.  At Oxford he will study for his Masters of Public Policy in criminal justice and state security and their connection with social justice, which is his key area of interest.  Finn worked as a legal intern for the UN International Criminal Tribunal in the Hague.  He represented New Zealand as a member of the Men’s water polo team and coached junior teams.

Hadleigh Frost, 19, attended Lincoln High School in Canterbury and is currently studying towards his BSc (Hons) at the University of Canterbury.  At Oxford he will study for a Doctor of Philosophy in condensed matter physics (valuable for immediate applications to society such as computing, solar energy and medical scanning), exploring the theory of gravity and the missed mechanics that gauge theories and our attempts to quantise them.  In 2012, Hadleigh won the inaugural Eureka! Sir Paul Callaghan Award for young science orators. He enjoys teaching and is a contributing editor for a student-led magazine.

Jessica Glennie, 23, from Auckland’s Macleans College, is currently studying her Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Texas on a rowing scholarship.  She will study environmental policy and change at Oxford.  She is interested in the world’s environmental and social management issues and wishes to be an architect and environmental leader.

Sir Jerry Mateparae said, “This is a life-changing opportunity for these exceptional young people, who have been selected for their academic excellence, character and leadership”.

Around 83 Rhodes scholarships are awarded globally each year.

“Rhodes’ vision was to develop well-rounded young people, with the commitment to make a positive difference in the world and the courage and skills to lead, and over time, promote the cause of international peace and understanding.  One hundred years later these values still hold true”, the Governor-General said.

The Scholarship covers the students’ fees, accommodation and living costs for up to three years at Oxford, which is one of the oldest and top-ranked universities in the world.

Contact information: To arrange interviews with the students or for more information about the Rhodes Scholarship contact Hazel Dobbie, Communications Manager, Universities New Zealand, hazel.dobbie@universitiesnz.ac.nz or 027 838 2313.

Background

• In New Zealand up to three graduates are selected each year
• To be eligible they must be either residents or citizens, up to the age of 25 as at October 2015
• Globally a total of up to 83 scholars are selected from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica & the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, Pakistan, Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland), United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as New Zealand.
• In New Zealand the Rhodes Scholarship works in partnership with the Robertson Foundation.  Internationally the Rhodes Trust provides the Rhodes Scholarships in partnership with the Second Century Founder, John McCall MacBain and other benefactors.
• In New Zealand the application and selection process for the Rhodes Scholarships is managed by Universities New Zealand (formerly called the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee).

Photo

The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, and National Secretary for New Zealand Rhodes Trust, Professor Jane Harding, at Government House today with the three Rhodes Scholars – from left Finn Lowery (The University of Auckland), Hadleigh Frost (The University of Canterbury) and Jessica Glennie (The University of Texas).