Tupu Tai Pasifika Public Sector Summer Internship Programme 2025/26

About

‘Tupu’ means ‘to grow’ and ‘Tai’ means ‘tide’ in a number of Pacific dialects – referring to the growing tide of Pacific peoples in the public sector. This 11-week internship over the summer (17 November 2025 to 30 January 2026) is an opportunity for you to gain policy experience, build professional networks and helps prepare you to enter employment after completing your studies.

As a Tupu Tai intern, you will share diverse Pacific perspectives on important issues that affect all New Zealanders. The programme supports MBIE’s commitment to improving Pacific economic outcomes by building more sustainable job opportunities for Pacific peoples.

The Tupu Tai programme is a paid summer internship offered to Pacific tertiary students and recent graduates interested in a career in the public sector. The programme is managed by MBIE’s Langa Le Vā (Pacific Policy) team and placements are offered at MBIE and in a range of Government agencies.

In 2020, the Tupu Tai programme won the Diversity Awards NZ Tomorrow’s Workforce Award as well as the Supreme Award.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for Pacific tertiary students in their final year of study, or recent graduates/Tupu Tai alumni who finished their degree after March 2023 who are interested in a career in the public sector. You will need to be driven to serve our Pacific communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and find reward in knowing that your work will directly impact the improved wellbeing of our people.

 

Applications

Applications open Tuesday 22nd April 2025.

To view advert and to apply here.

Please include in your cover letter:

Your motivation for joining the Tupu Tai Summer Internship

Why policy and/or a career in the public sector appeals to you as a profession

How you would like to contribute to the improved wellness of our Pacific community

Minimum requirements

This programme is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as alumni of up to two years.

To apply, you must:

  • Be in your final year of tertiary study (of an undergraduate/postgraduate degree)
  • Graduates and Tupu Tai alumni can apply or re-apply if they have finished their degree in March 2023
  • Be of Pacific descent and allowed to work and work in New Zealand
  • Be available to complete the internship full time in Wellington from 17 November 2025 to 30 January 2026

Tupu Tai Partner Agencies

Below is a list of agencies who we have partnered with for Tupu Tai Intern placements in previous years. Confirmed agencies for the upcoming summer programme will known closer to the end of the application process.

  • Commerce Commission
  • Department of Conservation
  • Department of Internal Affairs
  • Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Kainga Ora
  • Ministry for the Environment
  • Ministry for Pacific Peoples
  • Ministry for Women
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  • Ministry of Culture and Heritage
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
  • Ministry of Social Development
  • NZ Police
  • New Zealand Qualifications Authority
  • Oranga Tamariki
  • Privacy Commission
  • Public Service Commission
  • Reserve Bank of New Zealand
  • Statistics New Zealand
  • Tertiary Education Commission
  • The Treasury
  • Waka Kotahi