Robin Oliver Tax Policy Scholarship

History and purpose

The Tax Policy Charitable Trust was established in 2014 by generous support from Ian Kuperus and Tax Management NZ, to make a contribution to the future development of tax policy in New Zealand. To achieve this goal, the Tax Policy Charitable trust has established this scholarship to honour Robin Oliver for his continued contributions to New Zealand Tax Policy, to support and encourage students to strive for excellence in tax policy, and to discover novel solutions to the concerns of today and the future.

Who is eligible?

• Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree majoring in Taxation in the Wellington School of Business and Government.
• Applicants must be studying in their third year or above, and must have completed TAXN201.
• Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
• Applicants must have a 6.0 (B+) GPA.

Selection criteria

• This scholarship is open to full-time undergraduate students studying Taxation at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Applicants must be studying in their third year or above, and are required to submit an essay on challenges facing New Zealand’s tax system as part of the application process.
• Selection will be based on the academic merit of the applicant as well as the quality of their submitted essay.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

• A 1,000-word essay briefly outlining a challenge facing New Zealand’s tax system and a potential solution.
• A personal statement outlining how you meet the criteria for the scholarship and the potential impact the scholarship could have to your studies.

Selection process

Selection will be made by the Head of School, Accounting and Commercial law (or their nominee) in consultation with the Postgraduate Programme Director and a representative from the Tax Policy Charitable Trust.

Additional information

Recipients are expected to provide a thank you letter to the donor within 2 weeks of receiving the scholarship.

Regulations and conditions

1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04