YVONNE A M SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST
Enabling academic excellence in young New Zealand women
"I admire the way New Zealand women can hold their own with other leaders on the world stage. I want to foster the education of the next generation of leaders."
- Yvonne A M Smith, Founder
THE SCHOLARSHIP
Built for future leaders
The Yvonne Smith Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 to encourage and support women to become future leaders in New Zealand business and society. The scholarship may be awarded up to $70,000, placing it alongside prestigious scholarships such as the Fulbright and Rhodes scholarships. The scholarship is open to women undertaking postgraduate study, with preference given to applicants pursuing studies in political studies, economics, business and law. Preference will also be given to applicants who demonstrate potential for leadership and potential to make a significant contribution to New Zealand. The scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
$70k
SCHOLARSHIP VALUE
$1.5M
AWARDED TO DATE
1999
ESTABLISHED
2025 Scholarship Winner
Fatema Rampurawala
2025 – Master of Business Administration (MBA) – London Business School
2024 – Msc in Mental Health Ethics and Law – King's College London
2023 – Master of Business Administration – Massey University
THE CRITERIA
Who we're looking for
The scholarship is awarded to the candidate who best exemplifies potential leadership in her field. We also look for someone with the potential to make a significant contribution to New Zealand. Applications for the 2026 scholarship open in September 2026 and close on Friday 15 January 2027 at 4.00pm.
"Education is the precursor to encouraging respect and understanding of others to achieve outcomes superior to what we’ve known before”
- Yvonne A M Smith, Founder
Fortune Manning Lawyers
L3, 25 Teed Street,
Newmarket,
Auckland 1023
PO Box 4139
Shortland Street,
Auckland
