The Monkey Puzzle Tree Scholarship

The Monkey Puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) is an extraordinary symbol of endurance. Native to the volcanic slopes of Chile and Argentina, this ancient conifer has survived for over 200 million years—outlasting the dinosaurs through resilience, adaptable armour, and remarkably unique growth patterns. Today, despite modern environmental pressures, it continues to thrive wherever it takes root, producing rich seeds that sustain the ecosystem around it.

Inspired by this legacy, The Monkey Puzzle Scholarship was established to support local students who embody the tree’s defining traits: originality, resilience, and the strength to stand out.

Four scholarships are awarded annually to graduating students entering tertiary study, with preference given to those pursuing environmental science or related disciplines.

Each year, two scholarships are awarded to Whakatāne High School students and two to Trident High School students.