For as long as he can remember, Blair Rutherford has felt an intrinsic connection to the outdoors, a feeling he has nurtured his entire young life through elite sports and outdoor hobbies.
“New Zealand’s property and construction sector is so diverse, particularly across the Bay of Plenty, I am thrilled to be a part of the evolving growth story. The sector is paying attention to Indigenous land values, and technology continues to advance, making it such an exciting time for innovation and efficiency.”
It wasn’t until 2018, in his final year at Mount Maunganui College, that he realised his academic strengths (mathematics, geography, and outdoor education) and cultural beliefs from his Māori heritage could combine for a career in surveying.
The former representative rugby player and competitive swimmer says a lifetime of memories at his family’s ancestral home on the North Island’s East Cape – which features dramatic and unspoiled landscapes cared for by small and connected communities – has informed his worldview and instilled in him an inherent connection to his whakapapa and Ngāti Porou iwi.
“It’s an untouched part of the country,” he says, “spending time there showed me what a place can hold, and that understanding continues to motivate me daily as I work with the land in my career.”
“Māori have traditionally shied away from land management practices often dominated by pākehā perspectives, but we hold an essential role in this field, and I hope to exemplify this and use my skills for good throughout my professional journey,” he says.
As a triplet in a multi-generational household, Blair knew funding tertiary education would not be easy and was thrilled to become the successful applicant for a Keystone Trust Study Award in 2019, which would provide support as he worked towards a Bachelor of Surveying at the University of Otago.
He says that while the move from the sunny Bay of Plenty to Dunedin student life was a seismic cultural shift, the support he received from the trust was instrumental in a healthy adjustment, and the network allowed him to connect with other students, attend site visits, and take advantage of networking and mentorship opportunities.
“The site visits were my favourite,” he says, fondly recalling insider access to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory before it gave way to the new Dunedin Hospital.
A year later, Blair was undeterred by the global pandemic and found strength in his support system (including immediate family and the broader Keystone whānau). “It was a crazy time, but I was pretty unburdened by the disruption, and fortunately, this did not lessen my learning experience,” he says.
His positive approach to study is reflected in a stellar academic record, which saw him net the Harrison Grierson prize for surveying in his fourth year. The University Council awards the achievement on recommendation from the Dean to the student who gains the highest aggregate mark in a selection of papers.
Since graduating last May, Keystone Trust has continued to play a meaningful role in his professional journey, which includes helping him get a foot in the door with current employer Stratum Consultants, at which he has risen the ranks from intern to Graduate Surveyor since joining in the summer of 2020.
Looking back on his high school testimonials and original scholarship application, supporting documents paint a picture of a popular, diligent, conscientious student with a shine still glowing today.
Still striving for continuous achievement, Blair is currently working his way through the requirements for his license to become a cadastral surveyor, which is seeing him adjust to new educational frameworks whilst accruing practical work experience in the field.
“With Stratum Consultants here in Te Puke, I am experiencing a variety of project work, which is really fulfilling and constantly reminds me that I’m on the right path.
“New Zealand’s property and construction sector is so diverse, particularly across the Bay of Plenty, I am thrilled to be a part of the evolving growth story. The sector is paying attention to Indigenous land values, and technology continues to advance, making it such an exciting time for innovation and efficiency.”
For further media enquiries, please contact
Amanda Stanes
Keystone Trust – General Manager
M: 021 689 380
E: amanda@keystonetrust.org.nz
