01 July 2024 Inaugral Tuatara scholarship awarded to student with a passion for the property industry

The first Lincoln University student to receive an inaugural scholarship from Tuatara Structures says the funding will relieve significant stress and allow her to focus on her studies.

Land and Property Management student Rachel O’Brien has been supporting her education by working part-time work with the goal of becoming a registered property valuer.

The 19-year-old has been chosen to receive the $5000 scholarship, designed to support and incentivise excellence among those with a passion for the property industry.

The scholarship will be offered annually to a full-time student in their second year of study at Lincoln University for the next 5 years.

Alongside the payment, the recipient is offered the possibility of a paid internship and mentoring from Tuatara Structures.

The Christchurch-based business has been delivering fit-for-purpose buildings across the country since 2014, specialising in large-scale industrial, commercial and agri-space solutions.

Rachel said being awarded the scholarship took away a lot of stress and meant she did not have to spend so much time working.

“It makes a massive difference.”

She said she excelled at geography and commerce at high school but was planning to study law and commerce instead.

She had no idea property valuation was an option until her school was visited by a Lincoln liaison officer.

It seemed like the perfect combination of her passions, she said.

Now in her second year of studies, Rachel had been enjoying working in small classes and had visited working farms as well as conducted practice reports on existing properties.

“I want to be a successful and respected valuer after completing my degree.

“Hopefully I love it and want to do it forever.”

Rachel has been working since high school to fund her studies, gaining experience in the hospitality, retail and agricultural industries.

It was Rachel’s strong work ethic and dedication to her education that stood out to Tuatara Structures.

Chief Financial Officer Ben Halsey said the young student embodied a lot of the company’s key values.

Tuatara did not have a graduate program, but its founder and managing director Jordan Frizzell still wanted to help nurture passionate young people and support the future of the industry.

"It’s a different way of giving back to the industry."

“At Tuatara Structures, we are committed to investing in the next generation of industry leaders,” Jordan said.

“We believe it is our privilege and responsibility to share knowledge and skills to build a stronger workforce for generations to come.”

Tuatara Structures (from left) Juanita Cannon, Brydie Drake and Ben Halsey stand behind Lincoln University scholarship recipient Rachel O’Brien at the Tuatara Structures headquarters in Christchurch