Seven high-achieving students from across the Western Bay of Plenty are set to receive a major boost to their tertiary studies, thanks to the 2025 Bob & Joy Owens Scholarships.
Each recipient will receive $15,000 over three years, with a total of $105,000 being invested in local young people who have demonstrated not only strong academic results, but also commitment to their schools and wider communities.
The scholarship recipients come from seven different secondary schools and are heading into a wide range of study areas, including law, engineering, software development, and speech and language pathology. It’s a strong reminder that talent in the region spans far beyond a single discipline.
Ōtūmoetai College student Liam Smythe, who will study Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waikato, says the scholarship represents more than just financial help.
“It represents recognition of my hard work, perseverance, and aspirations for the future,” Liam said. “Knowing that people have invested in my education inspires me to want to give back in the same way one day.”
The Bob & Joy Owens Scholarships were first established in 1993 by Bob and Joy Owens through the Owens Charitable Trust, with the aim of supporting promising local students into higher education. In 2020, administration of the scholarships was transferred to the Acorn Foundation, helping ensure the programme remains sustainable and continues to support future generations.
This year’s recipients were officially recognised at a celebration event hosted by the Acorn Foundation on 11 December at The Balcony Room in Tauranga’s Historic Village. A highlight of the event was a talk from 1994 scholarship recipient Vanessa Winning, who shared how the scholarship helped her balance tertiary study with young motherhood. Vanessa went on to complete an economics degree and postgraduate marketing qualification and now works as a Director at the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Her story underscored the long-term impact these scholarships can have when talent is supported early.
2025 Bob & Joy Owens Scholarship Recipients
- Tauranga Girls’ College – Amelia Ellis, Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology
- Tauranga Boys’ College – Harry Perry, Bachelor of Laws conjoint with Bachelor of Arts (International Relations and Japanese)
- Mount Maunganui College – Jayden McQueen, Bachelor of Laws (Victoria University of Wellington)
- Te Puke High School – Jules Delaere, Bachelor of Engineering (University of Canterbury)
- Aquinas College – Noah Ball, Bachelor of Software Engineering (Victoria University of Wellington)
- Bethlehem College – Emily Flores, Bachelor of Laws (University of Otago)
- Ōtūmoetai College – Liam Smythe, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechatronics (University of Waikato)
The Acorn Foundation has congratulated all seven recipients and will continue to support them as they progress through their studies and into their future careers — careers that, if history is any guide, are likely to have a lasting impact on the Western Bay of Plenty community.
