Join our summer internship
Are you a final-year tertiary student or recent graduate with lived disability experience? If so, we would love for you to apply to our new All-of-Government paid internship.
The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha is piloting an All-of-Government paid internship programme from 19 November 2025 to 13 February 2026.
We will be matching interns to roles in 11 government agencies. Opportunities are available in teams involved in emergency management, policy, communications, human resources, and more.
We will be running 2 online information sessions to provide information about the roles on offer, explain the application process, and answer questions:
- Tuesday 26 August – 5:30pm-6:45pm
- Thursday 28 August – 5:30pm-6:45pm (NZSL interpreters available)
To register for an information session, or if you have any questions, please email peopleandculture@whaikaha.govt.nz
What is on offer
The internship programme is an opportunity for you to gain public sector work experience, build your professional network, and help you prepare for employment. Your wellbeing and accessibility needs will be a high priority.
You will also get opportunities to:
- take part in formal learning and development sessions
- work with an assigned mentor and buddy
- connect and share your experiences with other interns in the programme
- receive career support at the end of the programme
- have a great time!
Who we are looking for
The programme is open to tertiary students in their final year of study, as well as recent graduates.
You will need to live in, or temporarily relocate to, Wellington for the full programme (19 November 2025 to 13 February 2026).
Programme places are limited – with up to 13 placements available across 11 agencies.
Key dates
- 22 August: Applications open.
- 5 September: Applications close at midnight.
- September to October: Selection process and interviews.
- 19 November 2025: First day of the internship.
- 13 February 2026: Internship ends.
General information
- Length of internship programme: 19 November 2025 to 13 February 2026 (about 11 weeks). There is no expectation of ongoing employment after the internship.
- Location: All successful interns are expected to cover their own relocation expenses.
- Your employer and pay: Your employer will be the host agency you are placed with. They will offer you a paid fixed-term employment contract and set your salary.
- Days and hours of work: Typically, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can discuss flexible work options with your host agency such as part-time hours, start and end times, and work from home arrangements.
How to apply
You can apply to the internship programme on our careers page
Read about the internship application process and workplace details
If you have questions, please contact peopleandculture@whaikaha.govt.nz
Participating agencies
- Department of Internal Affairs – Te Tari Taiwhenua
- Inland Revenue – Te Tari Taake
- Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha
- Ministry of Education – Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
- Ministry for the Environment – Manatū Mō Te Taiao
- Ministry for Pacific Peoples – Te Manatū mō Ngā Iwi o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa
- Ministry of Social Development – Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora
- National Emergency Management Agency – Te Rākau Whakamarumaru
- New Zealand Qualifications Authority – Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa
- Real Estate Authority – Te Mana Papawhenua
- Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa
Internship agencies and roles
For more information about what roles are available, read about the internship agencies and roles
You will need to read this page for your application.