Overview

Vet Services Hawke’s Bay and Vet Services Dannevirke offer annual scholarships to support students enrolled in either their first or second year of the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) through an approved New Zealand tertiary education provider.

Successful candidates will have a strong work ethic, show initiative, be proactive and be a team player.

Recipients of the Vet Services Veterinary Nursing Scholarship will receive financial assistance towards their veterinary nursing study fees and gain the opportunity to complete a minimum of four weeks of paid practical work experience at one of our Vet Services clinics.

Applications open: 21st November 2025

Applications close: 20th February 2026

Eligibility criteria:

• A New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Studying the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) through an approved New Zealand tertiary education provider
• Prepared to complete practical work experience in one of our Vet Services clinics

Application criteria:

• Completed scholarship application form
• CV
• Proof of acceptance into the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) from your tertiary education provider.
• A written reference from your current or previous education tutor (if applicable)

• Two referee contact details (either work or personal)
• A brief statement as to why you wish to pursue a career veterinary nursing
• Details of any other scholarships or awards of which you are in receipt

Application outcome:

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an interview, these will commence after applications close. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of March 2026.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship, please contact vetnurse@vshb.co.nz

Overview
At SPCA Pet Insurance we are passionate about providing peace of mind for pet owners and, as part of this commitment, we understand that qualified Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses are essential in assisting with the protection and maintenance of pet health. For that reason, we aim to provide support to people who are interested in getting into roles which are related to Veterinary Medicine, Animal Care and Animal Sciences by providing the SPCA Pet Insurance Future Animal Carer’s Grant (the Grant).

Availability
This grant is offered annually to one student and applications for the 2025 grant are now open.

The Award
The value of this Grant is NZD $5,000 (total amount). This amount is paid as a one-off payment to the Winner.

Applications open: 15^th February 2025
Applications close: 31^st October 2025

Eligibility criteria

• To be eligible, you must be a domestic undergraduate enrolled full-time in an accredited New Zealand Tertiary Education Institution and studying for a certificate, diploma, degree or traineeship in evidence-based animal care that aligns with SPCA’s organisational position in any of the following areas:

• • Veterinary Medicine;
  • Veterinary Science;
  • Veterinary & Life Sciences;
  • Animal Care;
  • Veterinary Nursing;
  • Animal Studies;
  • Animal Sciences;
  • Animal Nutrition;
  • Veterinary Technology; or
  • Any other courses leading to similar careers as an animal carer or pet health specialist (subject to approval).

• Only citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand can apply.
• You must be 18 years of age or over to apply.
• Employees of SPCA, Hollard, PetSure, SPCA Pet Insurance, or Greenstone Financial Services NZ Limited, and their immediate family members including a spouse, de-facto spouse, parent, guardian, child or sibling, are ineligible to apply.

• Entrants must abide by the Terms and Conditions for an entry to be deemed eligible.

The challenge
To apply for the SPCA Pet Insurance Future Animal Carer’s Grant, you’ll need to write an essay (maximum 500 words) on why you want to work in your selected industry and the difference you hope to make in your particular field of study.

We’re looking for submissions that reflect a true desire to improve animal welfare. It doesn’t have to be great prose (just honest and from the heart), so start thinking about the real reasons you’ve chosen the career path you have and then put them into words.

How to apply
All applicants must email the following documentation to grants@spcapetinsurance.co.nz for their submission to be considered:

• Proof of Identification;
• Proof of enrolment, including course name, tertiary institution name and enrolment status;
• Your response (max word count 500 words); and
• Contact details (including residential address).

Selection process
The Winner of the Grant will be selected and awarded by a panel of judges from the SPCA Pet Insurance team in their absolute discretion, on the basis of the entry that best grasps the challenge. The panel for the 2025 Grant will convene from 15 November, 2025.

Notification
The Winner of the 2025 Grant will be notified by email and phone, with their name published on the SPCA Pet Insurance Website on 2 February, 2026.

If you have any queries regarding the Grant Program or wish to obtain a copy of the terms and conditions for previous Grants, please contact us via email at marketingenquiries@greenstone.com.au