University of Auckland arts and commerce student from Tauranga, Richard Higgins is the winner of a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University.

Richard Higgins is heading to Oxford University in October 2011 as a Rhodes scholar. He is pictured here with New Zealand Governor General Anand Satyanand.

He and two others, from Canterbury and Otago Universities, were selected after interviews with shortlisted candidates at Government House in Auckland. The scholarships, among the most esteemed worldwide for university graduates furthering their studies overseas, cover fees at Oxford and pay a living stipend of $25,000 a year.
Richard, 23, will take up his Rhodes Scholarship in October 2011 after completing his BA/BCom conjoint degree majoring in economics, finance and international business.
At Oxford he plans to spend two years studying for a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies, specialising in foreign investment in developing countries.

After completing his studies at Oxford, Richard would like to work in an industry with global strategic focus. The mining, infrastructure and transportation sectors have always held his interest and this summer he will be based in Sydney, working for a listed energy utilities fund. Eventually he would like to return and contribute to New Zealand.
Born in Wairoa, Richard lived in Whakatane, Rotorua, Whangarei and Wellington before moving with his family to their current home in Tauranga.

There he attended Otumoetai College where he was head prefect, Proxime Accessit and widely involved in sport, music, drama and debating.