Kiingitanga/summer Internship Programme 2025-26

Are you ready to embark on an enriching journey with the Office of the Ombudsman's Kiingitanga/Summer Internship Programme? This summer, we're excited to offer six unique 13 week internship opportunities that promise to deepen your understanding of the Chief Ombudsman's vital role and equip you with practical skills for your academic journey.

**Mo te Tari o te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata - About the Ombudsman**:
The Chief Ombudsman works with his staff to help New Zealanders in their dealings with government agencies. The focus is on handling complaints against government agencies, undertaking investigations and inspections, and encouraging good administration. The Chief Ombudsman is independent and impartial, with the goal of fairness for all.

**Mo nga turanga - About the Internship roles**:
Our Kiingitanga/Summer internship programme is back for the sixth time, offering supervised placements with clear learning objectives. We are continuing our internship stream for applicants from the disability community, along with our Kiingitanga Internship. The reasons for including both initiatives are as follows:
**Kiingitanga internship**:
We are proud to partner with Te Tari o te Kiingitanga. This internship is designed to achieve several important objectives, including enhancing Maori engagement with our Office, infusing our work with invaluable Maori perspectives, and elevating the Office's reputation as an attractive employer for Maori tertiary students.

**Lived experience of disability internship stream**:
We're also once again seeking an intern from the disability community. This stream is important because it aligns with the Chief Ombudsman's role under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, we greatly value the unique perspectives that individuals with lived experiences bring to our work.

As an intern, you can expect to:

- Gain valuable work experience
- Develop a deeper understanding of the Chief Ombudsman's work
- Collaborate in supportive teams within a dynamic environment

The internship will commence on 17 November 2025 and end on 13 February 2026, based in our Wellington office.

The internship roles are for up to 37.5 hours per week, with a break for the end-of-year public holidays.

**Mo nga ropu mahi - About the Internship teams**:
Information Knowledge Management

Join us if you're curious and eager to delve into Information Management within a Parliamentary Office. This internship offers hands-on experience in records management and library processes, allowing you to contribute to key projects and develop essential professional skills. Gain invaluable insights and make a meaningful impact in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Learning and Agency Development

Come and join us if you are passionate about helping others develop the skills to be the best they can be. This internship offers hands-on experience in learning needs analysis, high level design documentation, and designing & developing eLearning modules. You will work closely with some of the country's most talented learning designers to develop an eLearning course that aims to improve public sector decision making processes. Gain invaluable insights and make a meaningful impact in a supportive and dynamic team.

Publications and Digital

Join us if you're passionate about content design, publications and digital channels. The Publications and Digital Team at the Office of the Ombudsman plays a key role in how we connect with the public and tell our story. You'll be part of a supportive team that values learning, collaboration, and innovation. Gain hands-on experience in the full lifecycle of digital and publication work: from content design, editing, and plain language writing, through to digital channel management, user experience, and accessibility best practice.

Ropu Maori Hononga Hapori

In this internship, you'll play a crucial role in gathering, analysing, and presenting information from various reports that will directly contribute to the development and implementation of our Maori engagement practices. You'll actively assist in coordinating the Te Ao Maori Strategy and collecting valuable insights from internal groups to shape tikanga-informed practices.

Security

Join us if you're curious and passionate about security and particularly Cyber or Information security in a corporate environment. This internship offers hands-on experience in security management, policy development, and risk mitigation. Work closely with our experienced security team including the Manager Security, Senior Advisors (Information and Protective Security), and contribute to key projects that enhance our organisational security. Gain invaluable insights and make a meaningful impact in a supportive and dynamic team.

Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT)

Join us and learn about the role of OPCAT (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture); examining places of detention and