Interns Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Role type: Fixed-term (mid-Nov 2025 to mid-Feb 2026), full-time
- Location: Wellington, Auckland and 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, and 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 nine separate host agencies.
- Internship period: 18 November 2025 – 13 February 2026
- Work hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week (Monday–Friday)
- Employment: Fixed-term contract with a host agency
- Number of placements: 2 in Auckland, 1 in Hawkes Bay, 6 in Wellington
- Host Agency details: Refer to the recruitment guide below 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 from New Zealand Institute of Safety Management(external link)
Who are we looking for? - Ko te tangata mo tēnei tūranga?
We do not expect our interns to have any prior health and safety work 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.
- Transitioning to their fourth/final year of undergraduate study or graduating, who 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 available full-time from mid-November to mid-February
- 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:
- All applications need to be submitted before 11:59 pm Sunday 17 August
- You can apply online by reading the recruitment guide to understand the process and confirm your preferred location and agency.
- Create an account on MPI’s career portal(external link) and submit:
- Application from and CV
- Cover letter (includes preferred location/agency)
- Academic transcript (if available)
- Or you can talk to us about what you need so let’s have a chat/kōrero about how we can support you through the recruitment process.
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 and Safety Lead : deborah.bridge@mpi.govt.nz
Still unsure?
Check out our intern videos(external link), read, interns testimonials, and browse our Frequently Asked Questions learn more about the experience.