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.
Photo by Buro Millennial
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 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 |
|
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 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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 Note: This programme is currently on pause. |
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 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 |
|
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 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 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 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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
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.
People of the Public Service
Behind all public services are the people who make it happen. Meet some of the public servants working hard to make a difference for New Zealand and New Zealanders.
-
![Jacob McGregor standing in front of awards banner and smiling at the camera]()
About People of the Public Service -
![Joining the Public Service]()
About Joining the Public Service -
![2 people sitting at a table and having a conversation]()
About Developing your career across the Public Service -
![public service leadership team june2023]()
About Public Service Leadership Team -
![Regions]()
About Public Service in the regions -
![leadership]()
About Public Service leadership development -
![System leaders weaving news image]()
About Public Service system leaders -
![Leadership success profile]()
About Leadership Success Profile -
![Development boards]()
About Development Boards -
![Workforce data]()
Datasheet Workforce data - Diversity and inclusion -
![diversity and inclusion]()
About Improving diversity and inclusion in the Public Service -
![Public Service History]()
About Public Service history -
![Pronoun use in email signatures]()
Guidance Pronoun use in email signatures -
![Papa Pounamu]()
Guidance Papa Pounamu Public Service work programme -
![Person holding a rainbow flag]()
Guidance Rainbow inclusive language guide
