Intern, Government Health & Safety | Wellington City

Job Description

Intern, Government Health & Safety

Role type: Fixed-term (mid-Nov 2025 to mid-Feb 2026), full-time

Location: Wellington, Auckland, Hawkes Bay

Salary: $60,750 per annum pro rata (approx. $29.20 per hour)

Make a difference this summer!

Ma tau rourou, ma taku rourou, ka ora te iwi (with your contribution and my contribution the people will prosper)

Join our award-winning Health, Safety, & Wellbeing (HSW) Summer Internship Programme and gain real experience in the public sector.

This is a unique opportunity to explore a career in HSW while contributing to the physical and mental wellbeing of communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

About the internship programme - Mo te kaupapa

Interns will be placed in corporate HSW teams across various public sector agencies in around the country.  You'll work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to impactful projects, and develop practical skills in a supportive environment.

This year our cohort will comprise of a total of nine internships in total across eight separate host agencies. 

• Internship period: 17 November 2025 – 13 February 2026

• Work hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week (Monday–Friday)

• Employment: Fixed-term contract with a host agency

• Location of placements: 2 in Auckland, 1 in Hawkes Bay, 6 in Wellington

• Details: See the attached recruitment guide for host agency information

Why apply?

• Gain paid work experience at the living wage rate of $29.20/hour

• Work in corporate HSW teams across a variety of organisations

• Build professional networks and gain valuable experience

• Contribute towards meaningful work to support the physical and mental health and safety of Aotearoa New Zealand

• Free three-month trial membership to New Zealand Institute of Safety Management

Who are we looking for? - Ko te tangata mo tēnei tūranga?

We do not expect our interns to have any prior health and safety experience, however, having relevant study and an interest and open mind in this field is essential.

An ideal candidates will: 

• Be studying in New Zealand toward a diploma or undergraduate degree in:

  • health science, public health, psychology, occupational health and safety, Māori or Pacific health, human resources, criminology, environmental science, or related fields.

• Be transitioning to their fourth/final year of undergraduate study or graduating, and have completed papers in a related area of study to health, safety, and wellbeing.

• Have a genuine interest in a career in health, safety, & wellbeing

• Demonstrate good communications skills.

• Be eligible to live, study, and work in New Zealand.

We especially encourage applications from those with diverse cultural backgrounds and/or lived experience with disability.

How to Apply - Ngā āhuatanga hei whakaaroaro

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

• Please submit your application before the closing time of 11:59pm on Sunday, 17 August.

• Read the recruitment guide to understand the process and confirm your preferred location and agency.

• Create an account on MPI's career portal and submit:

  • Application form

  • CV

  • Cover letter (include preferred location/agency)

  • Academic transcript (if available)

Please feel welcome to reach out to us directly via the email addresses below if you have any specific recruitment process or intern programme questions.

Need support or have questions?

Recruitment process queries: Shane Gooch – Senior Adviser, Talent Advisory: shane.gooch@mpi.govt.nz

Programme queries: Debbie Bridge – Principal Adviser, Government Health & Safety: deborah.bridge@mpi.govt.nz

Still unsure?

Check out our intern videos, read, interns testimonials, and browse our Frequently Asked Questions learn more about the experience.