Te Puni Kōkiri opens applications for 2026-2027 Summer Internship Programme

Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) has announced the opening of applications for its 2026-2027 Summer Internship Programme, offering a pathway for tertiary students and recent graduates to engage directly with Māori development and public policy. The agency, which leads policy advice to the Government on Iwi and Māori relations, updated the programme details on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, confirming that ten positions are available for the upcoming season. The 12-week paid programme is scheduled to begin on 30 November 2026 and will conclude on 19 February 2027. While most placements are based at the national office in Wellington, the agency is also considering candidates for its regional offices across the motu. Interns will receive an annual salary of $60,201, pro-rated for the duration of the internship, and will have access to professional learning opportunities including te reo Māori classes and Tautuhi-ō-Rongo, the agency's specific policy approach. Placement opportunities span several critical areas of the public sector, including Policy, Strategy, Communications, Data and Automation, and Iwi and Māori Relations. The programme is designed for students who have completed at least two years of study or graduates who are within two years of finishing their degrees. According to Te Puni Kōkiri, the initiative aims to draw strength from the past to build an Aotearoa New Zealand where whānau can stand, thrive, and belong. Applicants are expected to demonstrate clear communication skills and an ability to engage with diverse perspectives. The role involves learning how the agency influences the wider public service system to better deliver for Māori. Interested candidates have until 11:55pm on Sunday, 13 September 2026, to submit their applications through the official Te Puni Kōkiri careers portal.