Are you looking to kick start your career in the Public Service? Here you’ll find information about a range of graduate and internship opportunities across various agencies, career fields and roles.

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Ngā kaupapa tāura Graduate programmes

If you have a tertiary qualification, we offer a variety of programmes to help supercharge your career in the Public Service. Here are some links to agency programmes that may provide:

  • early in career exposure to a range of roles, functions, and areas within an agency
  • access to staff networks and senior officials
  • formal training and learning opportunities designed to challenge and stretch you
  • a supportive development programme that offers feedback and guidance to help you progress
  • a competitive salary
  • career pathways.

Field

Name

Agency

About

Data analysis and research

Analytics and Research in Government Graduate Programme

Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ

For anyone who has a passion for data, research and analysis and seeking a career in this field.

Type: Cross-agency
Length: 1 year

iLoveData.org.nz

Note: This programme is currently on pause.

Finance 

Public Sector Finance Graduate Programme 

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs 

For graduates seeking an accounting career. It provides accelerated development within a rotational programme, giving graduates exposure to many departments and finance and accounting roles.

Type: Cross-agency 
Length: 3 years 

DIA.govt.nz 

IT

Government Security Communications Bureau Graduate Programme

 

Te Tira Tiaki | Government Security Communications Bureau

For graduates with strong technical skills and an interest in software, systems, network engineering, computer science, data science, telecommunications network analysis and cyber security.

Type: Single agency
Length: 1 year

BeyondOrdinary.NZIC.govt.nz

Note: This programme is currently on pause.

Policy

Foreign Policy Early in Careers Programme

Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

 

For graduates with a bachelor’s level qualification looking for a career in foreign policy.

Type: Single agency
Length: 1 year

MFAT.govt.nz

Policy

Graduate Policy Analyst Programme

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education

 

For graduates looking to kick-start their career in policy with Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education.

Type: Single agency
Length: 18 months

MinistryCareers.Education.govt.nz

Policy

New Policy Professional Programme

 

Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

 

For graduates looking to transition into a policy advisor role at Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.

Type: Single agency
Length: 16 months

Jobs.MBIE.govt.nz

Policy, Economics and Finance

The Treasury – Graduate Programme 

 

Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury 

 

For graduates seeking a behind-the-scenes view of the government policy process. 

Type: Single agency 
Length: 18 months 

Treasury.govt.nz 

Procurement

New Zealand Government Procurement Graduate Programme

Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

For graduates from any discipline seeking a career in procurement.

Type: Cross-agency
Length: 2 years

Procurement.govt.nz

Various

Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme

 

Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry for Ethnic Communities

For graduates from ethnic communities who are seeking employment opportunities in the public service.

Type: Cross-agency
Length: 18 months

EthnicCommunities.govt.nz

Various

Emerging Professionals Programme

 

Waka Kotahi | NZ Transport Agency

 

For graduates with a range of degrees and backgrounds seeking a career with Waka Kotahi | NZ Transport Agency.

Type: Single agency
Length: 2 years

NZTA.govt.nz

Various

GovTech Talent Graduate Programme 

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs 

For graduates looking for an opportunity to explore a range of digital career options, working at two agencies over the course of the programme.  

Type: Cross-agency 
Length: 18 months 

Digital.govt.nz

Note: 'Single agency’ means a programme that is run by an agency to meet their internal demand. All placements are within that agency. ‘Cross-agency’ means a programme that is run to meet system-level demand across agencies. Placements are across various participating agencies.

Ngā kaupapa tauira Internships

Internships are available across our Public Service, with a range of different areas of focus, intake timeframes and application processes. Internships can provide successful applicants with:

  • exposure to a range of options to inform future choices about your employment or specialisation within our Public Service
  • some great work experience across sectors, professions, and agencies all dedicated to improving outcomes for New Zealanders
  • exposure to a range of diverse role models.

Field

Name

Agency

About

Conservation

Department of Conservation Summer Internship Programme

Te Papa Atawhai | Department of Conservation

For people seeking conservation work experience.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months

DOC.govt.nz

Data analysis and research

Analytics and Research in Government Internship Programme

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development

For anyone who has a passion for data, analysis or research.

Type: Cross-agency
Length: 3 months

iLoveData.govt.nz

Education

Ministry of Education Summer Internship Programme

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education

For students seeking work experience with Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months

MinistryCareers.Education.govt.nz

Environment

Ministry for the Environment Summer Internship

Manatū Mo Te Taiao | Ministry for the Environment

For aspiring environmentalists who are seeking work experience.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months

Environment.govt.nz

Note: This programme is currently on pause.

Health and safety

Government Health and Safety Summer Internship

Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries 

For students looking for a career in a health, safety and wellbeing profession.

Type: Cross-agency
Length: 3 months

HealthandSafety.govt.nz

Policy

Aorere Internship Programme 

Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 

For Māori students or recent graduates who have an interest in foreign policy and would like a career with Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months

MFAT.govt.nz

Note: This programme is currently on pause.

Policy

Horizons Ethnic Internship Programme 

Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 

For students or recent graduates who identify with one of the many ethnic communities recognised in Aotearoa New Zealand, have an interest in foreign policy, and would like a career with Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months 

MFAT.govt.nz

Note: This programme is currently on pause.

Policy

Vaka Pasifika Internship Programme 

Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 

For Pasifika students or recent graduates who have an interest in foreign policy and would like a career with Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months 

MFAT.govt.nz

Note: This programme is currently on pause.

Psychology

Psychology Internship

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education

For post-graduate psychology students looking to complete their required supervised practice.

Type: Single agency
Length: 11 months

MinistryCareers.Education.govt.nz

Various

Department of Internal Affairs Summer Intern Programme

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

For students looking to gain experience in their desired area of work.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months

DIA.govt.nz

Various

Te Herenga Manu Tāiko, Māori Internship Progamme

Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment 

For students who whakapapa māori and wanting to build their work experience, skills and understanding of the Public Service.

Type: Single agency 
Length: 3 months 

Jobs.MBIE.govt.nz

Various

Ministry of Health Summer Internship Programme

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

For students looking to develop their knowledge and skills in a public sector setting.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months

Health.govt.nz

Various

Te Puni Kōkiri Summer Intern Programme

Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry for Māori Development

For students and graduates looking for work experience in a kaupapa Māori organisation.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months

TPK.govt.nz

Note: This programme is currently on pause.

Various

The Summer Internship Programme

Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections

For students seeking work experience with Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections.

Type: Single agency
Length: 3 months

Careers.Corrections.govt.nz

Various 

The Treasury Internship Programme 

Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury 

For students looking to get work experience in one of Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury’s technical teams. 

Type: Single agency 
Length: 3 months 

Treasury.govt.nz 

Various

Tupu Tai Pasifika Public Sector Summer Internship Programme

Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

For Pacific tertiary students who are interested in a career in the public sector.

Type: Cross-agency
Length: 3.5 months

Jobs.MBIE.govt.nz

Note: 'Single agency’ means a programme that is run by an agency to meet their internal demand. All placements are within that agency. ‘Cross-agency’ means a programme that is run to meet system-level demand across agencies. Placements are across various participating agencies.

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