How to Find the Right Internship for International Students | Study With New Zealand

For many international students, internships with New Zealand organisations are an integral part of their course. They may be compulsory or optional, and full-time or part-time. Internships often take place over two or three months of the New Zealand summer holidays, which run from November to February. Internships in New Zealand can be paid, unpaid or pay expenses only. Many places in New Zealand offer internships, including government agencies, large corporate businesses, professional associations, industry training boards and the not-for-profit sector.

Some students may have their internship organised by the education provider where they are studying.

Other organisations also help students gain Kiwi internships, such as:

There’s lots of career support available for international students through their education provider, including help with job searches.

Student visa holders may be allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during term time, and full-time in holidays. They’re also allowed to work to meet the practical experience requirements of their courses. Students should check Immigration New Zealand regulations before seeking work while they study.

Kia ora tatou, my name is Kate and I’m a fifth-year student at the University of Auckland, studying a Bachelor of Global Studies and a Bachelor of Arts. This summer, I’ve been interning with Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao in the Marketing & Communications team.

Internships are an incredibly valuable way to gain work experience, meet new people, make career connections, and here in Aotearoa, New Zealand internships are almost always paid, which is a major bonus! They normally run over the summer months, from around the end of November to the end of February, finishing up in time for university to begin in March. Larger companies typically hire a cohort of interns, so you’ll often get to meet and work with other like-minded students during your internship. Internships are also normally open to both domestic and international students, so I highly recommend you apply to any and all that seem interesting to you!

During my summer here at ENZ, I’ve created marketing content like blog posts, Spotify playlists, advertisement carousels, managed internal and external communications, and more. Because I was recruited through the Ministry of Education (MoE) internship program, I’ve also had the chance to work with the cohort of MoE interns and get a glimpse into work at the Ministry as well. Through this programme, we’ve had the opportunity to meet with Ministers, tour Parliament, shadow teams within the Ministry, and connect with potential future employers.

Here are some ways you can find out about internship opportunities:

In New Zealand, it’s common for people to apply for internships in their second year of university or above – so don’t feel stressed if you’re just starting uni and don’t have an internship, or don’t know where to look! Some people even do several different internships throughout their studies, which gives them the opportunity to try working in a variety of fields.

This summer at ENZ has been my second internship: my first was a remote internship that was focused on industry research and reporting. My biggest piece of advice is to apply for any opportunity you can, relax and be yourself in interviews, and always ask for advice or feedback afterward. Best of luck!