South Island
Education Trust
Grants

Meet the
South Island Education Trust

Empowering South Island property professionals

The South Island Education Trust (SIET) has been a catalyst for education and professional development in the South Island property sector since its inception in December 2005. Established through the efforts of the then South Island Branch Executive, the Trust is dedicated to fostering growth and learning for students and professionals in New Zealand’s property industry.

The Trust’s mission is clear:

  • Provide scholarships, prizes, and grants
  • Cover course fees for professional development
  • Share valuable industry knowledge
  • Facilitate charitable donations and bequests
  • Support initiatives aligned with its educational purpose

Key dates

Applications open

Now!

Applications close

Friday 27 February 2026

Applicants informed

March 2026

Public announcement

April 2026

Applications Open Now!

South Island
Education Trust Grants

We’re thrilled to continue the South Island Education Trust Grants – aimed at bolstering the education and professional growth of South Island members.

This exciting programme offers funding for employees of Property Council New Zealand member companies in the South Island. These grants cover costs associated with attending a wide array of industry events and training programs, ensuring our members stay at the forefront of industry knowledge and leadership.

What’s included?

The grants provide financial support for:

  • Event and course fees – covering ticket costs for selected Property Council events and courses.
  • Airfare and accommodation allowance of up to $750 + GST – ensuring you can attend key events without logistical concerns.

Eligible training and events include:

This initiative reflects our commitment to empowering South Island property professionals to grow, lead, and thrive. 

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the property sector.

Applications for 2026 are now open!

“I was grateful to attend the 2025 Property Conference in Queenstown, supported by a South Island Education Grant. As conference funding is highly competitive within a large organisation, this grant made my participation possible. The event offered valuable insights from a wide range of property sector speakers and provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect and build new professional relationships."

Karla Sellwood, Property Manager, Asset Management Unit, University of Otago
South Island Education Trust Grant Recipient

Application criteria

  1. The applicant’s employer must be a member of Property Council New Zealand and endorse their application.

  2. The applicant must work and reside in the South Island.

  3. Applications close at 5:00 pm on Friday 27 February 2026.

 

Please note:
  • The applicant must attend the event. 
  • If the applicant is unable to attend, the registration cannot be transferred to another person.
  • New applicants will be given preference for grant funding over members who have received grants in previous years.
  • The cancellation policy is the same as for other Property Council New Zealand events. If the applicant is unable to attend and cancels their registration more than two weeks in advance, the money is refunded to the South Island Education Trust. 
  • The applicant is responsible for their own travel arrangements. Reimbursement for travel costs will be made after the event or course, following the supply of proof (GST receipts) of airfare and accommodation costs. Please note that food, transfers (mileage, taxi or Uber) and add-on events such as site tours are not covered by the grant.

“The South Island Education Grant made attending the Property Council Fundamentals course much more accessible by removing financial barriers. The course gave me a solid understanding of the property sector and valuable insights I can apply in my role. This knowledge will help me make informed decisions and contribute more effectively to the industry as my career develops.”

Debs Tikao, Business Support Manager, Ngāi Tahu Property
South Island Education Trust Grant Recipient

Apply now

Applications for the South Island Education Trust Grants are open to all employees of Property Council member companies who work and reside in the South Island. Please ensure you have your CV and cover letter in PDF format ready and available for upload with your application.

Your Details

Name(Required)
Please use your company / work email address.
Gender(Required)
Property Council is committed to improving diversity and inclusion. Please select the category that best describes your gender:
Which event/course are you interested in attending should your application be successful?(Required)
Please upload a high-resolution headshot photo (minimum of 1MB).
Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Please advise if you have previously applied for a SIET grant(Required)

Your Application

Please either upload your cover letter below, or paste it in the following text box. Ensure your cover letter answers the following questions: What are your career aspirations and how do these relate to the property industry? What is your career highlight to date? What is your current involvement in the property industry? How do you think attending this training or event will benefit your professional development journey?
Please upload your cover letter as a PDF document, or in the text box above. Ensure your cover letter answers the following questions: What are your career aspirations and how do these relate to the property industry? What is your career highlight to date? What is your current involvement in the property industry? How do you think attending this training or event will benefit your professional development journey?
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB, Max. files: 5.
    Please upload your CV as a PDF document.
    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB, Max. files: 5.
      The South Island Education Trust Grants are exclusive to Property Council New Zealand’s South Island membership. The member organisation must be a current financial member and the applicant must work and reside in the South Island to be considered eligible to proceed. Endorsement from the applicant’s employer is required for participation and to represent the member organisation. Please provide the name and email address of a nominated manager, who will be contacted to confirm their support and endorsement of the applicant's participation:
      Please confirm the full name of the member company you are employed by.
      Confirmation of South Island membership(Required)
      By ticking this box, you confirm that you work and reside in the South Island or New Zealand.
      Please upload any additional supporting documents here.
      Drop files here or
      Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB, Max. files: 5.
        Consent(Required)

        Contact

        For all enquiries about the South Island Education Trust Grants, please contact:
        Danielle Brayne

        South Island Regional Manager

        danielle@propertynz.co.nz