Rua Bioscience programmes are helping East Coast rangatahi pursue new opportunities while growing local skills and capability across a range of sectors.
Its programmes range from scholarships for further education and internships that provide hands-on industry experience to industry exposure that connects students with career pathways, workplaces and universities across Aotearoa. Rua also runs a Compassionate Access Programme, helping 52 local patients experiencing financial hardship access medicinal cannabis treatment each month.
Since 2020, Rua has awarded 67 scholarships through its He Ara Atawhai, He Kākano Scholarship Programme. In 2025, 13 students received undergraduate scholarships, valued between $600 and $1,000 each, supporting study across disciplines including health, science, engineering, arts and commerce.
“Our real purpose is to grow our people and our place. That’s what our founders wanted from the beginning. They wanted to build something that benefits Tairāwhiti by investing in the capability of our people,” says Darylene Rogers, Rua Bioscience community engagement coordinator.
Rua’s industry exposure programme is also helping rangatahi see new possibilities. Close to 100 students have visited the Ruatoria facility, learning about genetics research, plant science and health science. External trips have further connected rangatahi with universities and organisations around Aotearoa.
Its internship programme has helped create a pathway into skilled local employment. A Ruatōria local progressed through two internships with Rua Bioscience before becoming a full-time employee. He now leads Rua’s psilocybin programme.
“In the early days, we had to bring specialist skills into the region because they simply weren’t available here. Now we’re starting to see more local people developing those skills and stepping into those roles,” says Darylene.
“That’s incredibly exciting because it shows these programmes are doing exactly what they were designed to do.”
Trust Tairāwhiti has supported Rua’s programmes since 2021. In 2025, the Trust approved $50k towards its suite of education, capability and community programmes.