Aspeq Continues Partnership with NZAWA to Empower Women in Aviation

This year, Aspeq's Marketing and Communications Lead, Amie Cripps, and Chief Executive, Hamish Findlay, are looking forward to attending NZAWA's Annual Rally 2026, hosted by the Hawke's Bay & East Coast Aero Club at Bridge Pa. It promises to be a fantastic event, with pilots in action, a vibrant community of women in aviation gathered in one place, and the always-inspiring opportunity to present this year's Aspeq scholarships.

One of the highlights of the Rally for Amie and Hamish will be reconnecting with scholarship recipients from previous years, seeing firsthand how far these women have come and the contributions they are making to New Zealand aviation.

Inspiring the Next Generation

NZAWA's work is as important as ever. Girls are told they can be anything they want to be, but without seeing women working and thriving across a wide spectrum of aviation disciplines, it can be hard to imagine aviation as a place for them. NZAWA's efforts to provide role models, mentors, scholarships, and a supportive community are invaluable in helping young.

We are consistently impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of NZAWA's members.

The Aspeq Scholarships

Through our ongoing partnership with NZAWA, Aspeq offers four scholarships supporting women at every stage of their aviation journey:

• ASPEQ Walsh Scholarship — Supporting an NZAWA member to attend the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School, for both first-year and returning students.
• ASPEQ PPL Exam Scholarship — Financial assistance for an NZAWA member to complete their Private Pilot's Licence written examinations.
• ASPEQ CPL Exam Scholarship — Supporting an NZAWA member through their Commercial Pilot's Licence written examinations.
• ASPEQ Instructor Upgrade Scholarship — For an NZAWA member pursuing an instructor upgrade (C-Cat to B-Cat or B-Cat to A-Cat).

Applications close 15 April each year, with recipients announced at the Annual Rally.

Together, We're Making Aviation More Inclusive

At Aspeq, we believe a stronger aviation industry is a more diverse one. We are proud to stand alongside NZAWA in inspiring and educating women about the opportunities aviation holds, and with each scholarship awarded, we take another step toward an industry where every aspiring aviator can picture themselves in the cockpit.

For more information on the NZAWA scholarships, visit NZAWA's website.