Whaikaha launches All-of-Government paid internship
Applications are now open for our All-of-Government paid internship, taking place from 19 November 2025 to 13 February 2026.
We are seeking applicants who are keen to bring lived experience, disability perspectives, and a passion for equity to their work. Whaikaha will match interns to roles in 11 government agencies. Opportunities are available in teams involved in emergency management, policy, communications, HR, and more.
We will be holding 2 online information sessions to provide information about the roles on offer, explain the application process, and answer questions. These will be held on Tuesday 26 August (5:30pm-6:45pm) and Thursday 28 August (5:30pm-6:45pm, NZSL interpreters available).
This programme is an opportunity for interns to gain public sector work experience, build their professional network, prepare for employment.
“Interns will get a wide range of opportunities,” enthused Ginny Baddeley, Deputy Chief Executive Strategy and Enablement. “They will be taking part in formal learning and development sessions, working with an assigned mentor and buddy, and will get to connect and share their experiences with other interns throughout the programme”.
“Plus, at the end of the programme, interns will receive career advice to help set them up for the future.”
Read more about the internship programme - Join our summer internship
Alternate formats are available on our Work with us page
Who can apply?
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.
Which agencies will be taking part?
- 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