Vaka & Aorere Internship Opportunities (Nov 2024)

• Curious about global challenges and how you can make a difference for Aotearoa’s place in the world?
• Let us introduce you to the world of foreign policy and a career in diplomacy
• 11-week paid internship for Māori & Pasifika students - Wellington based

As an Aorere or Vaka intern, you will gain valuable work experience and development opportunities, as well as an insight into the world of foreign policy and diplomacy. The internship is an excellent way to prepare for a graduate role with MFAT, or the wider public service.

You may find yourself working on areas such as advising the government on our relations with other countries, climate change and the environment, development and humanitarian activities, the UN and human rights, trade negotiations or international security & arms control. These are all kaupapa which are important to the safety and prosperity of Aotearoa whānui including Te Iwi Māori and Pasifika.

Your internship will include:

• A paid internship over summer within one of our foreign policy teams
• A research project and opportunity to present your findings
• A workshop series designed to prepare you for a graduate role
• Opportunities to use, share and further develop your mātauranga Māori skills
• Networking opportunities
• Support and guidance from a mentor
• A great group of other interns to learn with!
• Travel assistance will be provided for interns outside of the Wellington region.

MFAT is passionate about growing a diverse talent pipeline and the Aorere and Vaka internships are part of MFAT’s efforts to provide opportunities to Māori and Pasifika students and young professionals to help ensure that our Foreign Ministry and its advice reflects the full diversity of Aotearoa. 

We encourage you to apply if you are:

• Studying towards a minimum of a Bachelor’s level qualification – any discipline (doesn’t have to be law,
  economics, or politics, although those fields are very welcome).
• Within your last year or two of study.
• Willing and able to be based in Wellington between mid-November 2024 – mid-February 2025 (we’ll fly
  you to Wellington if you’re based elsewhere in Aotearoa).
• Able to show us your group participation skills (whether they come from cultural, community, volunteer,
  church, sports-based or any other activities)
• A New Zealand citizen, and of Māori descent.
• Able to gain and maintain an appropriate security clearance (Use this online tool to self-check your
  eligibility for a security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance
  process)

So, whether you have been a part of university clubs or a volunteer within your community or church or hard at
work to support whānau, these are all relevant experiences! So make sure you apply!