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Brothers in arms… Te Tane Trinick and Ryan Watene are Japan-bound
as 2010 Global Fisheries Scholars.
Mid-career professional and new graduate Global Fisheries Scholars
Te Ohu Kaimoana Chief Executive Peter Douglas today announced that the two 2010 Global Fisheries Scholars will be Ryan Watene, of Gisborne, and
Te Tane Trinick, of Auckland.
“These were two outstanding applicants from a very high calibre field of 17,” Mr Douglas said. “The whole process was very positive, and revealed a real pool of talented, young Maori professionals coming through – and that is something the scholarship itself is designed to enhance.”
He said he was particularly pleased that the selection of Ryan and Te Tane demonstrated the flexibility of the Global Fisheries Scholarship as a programme for those mid-career looking to go to the next level, or those starting out looking to get into the fisheries and seafood industries.
“We have, Ryan, 30, well into his career, a married family man, looking at moving to new levels and new directions, but we also have Te Tane at 22, a new graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in aquaculture, looking to start his career.
“Both of those realities are what the Global Fisheries Scholarship programmes is all about,” he said.
Mr Douglas said the selection process earlier this year had also given Te Ohu Kaimoana the chance to ‘talent spot’ for the future, and two promising young Maori were now being offered mentoring and support.
“There are some tremendous young Maori professionals and graduates out there, and the Global Fisheries Scholarship is just part of Te Ohu Kaimoana’s and Nissui’s commitment to our people and their future in the fisheries and seafood industry.
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Scholarship years in the making for Ryan Watene
For Gisborne Justice Ministry official Ryan Watene, becoming one of two 2010 Global Fisheries Scholars to study in Japan will be the culmination of nearly a decade of planning.
Ryan (Ngati Kahungunu) first looked at the scholarship in 2001. "As a student I was really keen, but soon after graduation I came to the conclusion that I was not yet committed enough at that point in my life.
“I think it’s taken me this long to mature my thinking, and to get to the level of commitment I needed to have to really look at building a successful career in the fisheries industry,” he said.
Ryan also credits his success in getting the scholarship to the ongoing support he has received from iwi organisations Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated.
At 30, and married to Gisborne school teacher Kay, and with a young son, Paora, the Watene whanau is looking at moving to Japan for the duration of the 12-month scholarship, starting next January.
“It would be a long time to be away from home, but it would be a wonderful experience, not just for me, but for us as a family,” Ryan said.
The Waikato University business management graduate is no newcomer to Japan, having served there as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from 1998 to 2000.
“It took a lot of hard effort to get the language and adjust to the culture, and I studied Japanese at university, so it’s going to be very rewarding going back there and immersing myself in all of that again,” Ryan said.
“I really am looking to use the Global Fisheries Scholarship to gain knowledge and skills in opening up overseas markets for New Zealand-based companies. I want to learn from the best, and the chance to see how Nissui in Japan operates in international markets gives me the chance to do that.” |
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Te Tane Trinick’s first step to a bright business future
Being a 2010 Global Fisheries Scholar to Japan is the perfect kick-start to the fisheries career dreams of Te Tane Trinick.
Having just graduated from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) with a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in aquaculture, Te Tane (Te Whanau a Apanui) said he had long had an interest in marine biology. He started his studies in that discipline, but moved over to aquaculture, keeping him in the sea, but with the potential for a more business-focused, entrepreneurial future.
“My interest has always been in marine life, but I look at aquaculture and I see a growing industry, and I thought there could be a bit of money to be made there,” he said.
Te Tane, 22, said he hopes the Global Fisheries Scholarship placement with Nissui in Japan will give him “exposure to technology and processes, and markets and skills, that I otherwise would not get”, as a first step to perhaps one day managing, or owning, an aquaculture business.
Part of the scholarship package is undertaking Japanese language lessons this year. “It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. I know absolutely nothing yet, but the whole thing about the scholarship taking me to Japan is going to be about taking me out of my comfort zone, and being open to new ideas and new experiences.
“It’s going to be a huge year for me and a huge opportunity,” he said.
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