Ngāti Kuia Summer Internship Programme 2026/27

Our Summer Internship Programme is designed to provide meaningful, paid work experience while creating opportunities for personal growth, career exploration, and stronger connections with Ngāti Kuia, our people, and our aspirations for the future.

As an intern, you will have the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience within Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia, working alongside experienced kaimahi on a range of projects, programmes, and initiatives that make a positive difference for our iwi and wider communities. Whether you are considering future study, exploring career pathways, or looking to strengthen your connection to your whakapapa, this internship offers a supportive environment to learn, contribute, and grow.

Throughout the programme, interns will develop valuable workplace skills, build professional networks, gain insight into the operations of an iwi organisation, and learn more about the kaupapa, values, and strategic priorities of Ngāti Kuia.

If you are enthusiastic, eager to learn, and interested in making a meaningful contribution while developing your skills and experience, we encourage you to apply.

Internship Term: Mid-November 2026 to Late January 2027

Location: Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia offices and programme locations across Te Tauihu

Employment Status: Fixed-Term Summer Internship

Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility to support programme delivery, professional development opportunities, and learning experiences that enhance your internship journey.

Internship #1: Business & Enterprise Intern

Gain hands-on experience in business, marketing, horticulture and iwi enterprise.

This internship is perfect for someone who’s curious about how iwi businesses operate and keen to learn and expand their existing knowledge and skill set in this space. You’ll gain experience across the Ngāti Kuia nursery and Kānuka facility, while building your confidence in business operations, marketing and kaupapa Māori enterprise.

Key requirements and responsibilities:

• Shadowing Operations Manager on day-to-day tasks.
• At times work independently on mini projects.
• Learning about budgeting, stock management, and basic business systems.
• Participating in team hui and contributing to process improvements.
• Exploring how kaupapa Māori informs enterprise development and decision-making.
• Lead and develop a market project that will sell our products. This will require Saturday mahi alongside the 4 days of mahi during the working week.

What you’ll gain and learn

• Hands-on experience across the Ngāti Kuia nursery and Kānuka operations, gaining insight into how iwi-owned businesses operate day to day.
• Practical knowledge of business operations, including budgeting, stock management and business systems.
• Experience developing and delivering a real-world market project, from planning through to sales and customer engagement.
• Exposure to marketing, product promotion and retail activities.
• An understanding of how kaupapa Māori values shape enterprise development, decision-making and commercial success.
• Confidence working alongside managers and experienced kaimahi in a professional environment.
• Opportunities to develop problem-solving, communication and project management skills.
• Experience contributing ideas and improvements through team hui and collaborative projects.
• Greater independence by managing projects and tasks with appropriate support and guidance.
• Valuable workplace experience that can support future study, employment and leadership opportunities within business and enterprise.

Applications are now open. We encourage all eligible tauira and rangatahi who are interested in developing their skills, building their confidence, and strengthening their connection to Ngāti Kuia to apply.