Career Opportunities

No matter where you are in your career journey, we’re here to help.Just starting out? We have mentors who can help navigate your career journey. From support with your CV, to scholarships, internships, and applications for work placements including those with our business partners.

Discover all our mentors have to offer with Pūreirei, and how they can help you apply for one of our career opportunities below.

“Karawhiua e hoa mā, jump on the waka and make the most of these incredible opportunities we have. Mō tātou, mō kā uri a muri ake nei.

We need more Ngāi Tahu whānau in these spaces and we have the resources and capabilities to make that happen.”

– Grace Dimond

We currently have opportunities available with:

Summer Internship 2023/2024

Do you want to gain first-hand experience and understanding of the challenges facing water resource management and sustainability in mid Canterbury?
Are you in your 3^rd year or above of study?
Location Hakatere Ashburton / Ōtautahi Christchurch

Ngāi Tahu and MHV Water Ltd (MHV) have partnered together to create an exciting opportunity for a summer internship in the Environmental, Water and Hydrogeological industry.

MHV is a farmer owned water cooperative that supplies irrigation water across the Hekeao Hinds Plains of central Canterbury. We currently we supply water to some 200 shareholders via water from the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) that is delivered via 320km of open race and approximately 100km of piped infrastructure

To meet our mission statement of:

“Sustainable Solutions for our community, now and into the future”-

We work closely with stakeholders such as Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, the Hekeao Hinds Water Enhancement Trust, Fish and Game, ECan, local farmers and the Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective.

Click here to find out more about MHV Water

Who we are looking for:

A passionate, open minded and enthusiastic person who wants to gain first-hand experience and understanding of the challenges facing water resource management and sustainability in mid Canterbury.
Those who have a strong work ethic, energy and commitment, a thirst for learning. Some days you’ll be in the office crunching data and writing reports, others you’ll be out in the field or on farm running field tests.
Tertiary students studying at year 3 or above, or completed a relevant qualification in:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Management
- Earth Science (Geology, Soil Science, Hydrology, Hydrogeology)
- Resource & Consent Management
- Water Infrastructure Engineering
Someone who is proficient with MS Office, and interested in or proficient with relevant software such as R, QGIS, Overseer etc
A registered Ngāi Tahu whānau member

What can MHV offer you?

Valuable work experience with an exciting organisation who are spearheading research into water management in Canterbury
The opportunity to work in a vibrant, passionate and enthusiastic environment full of great people
Mentoring by enthusiastic and dedicated senior team members
Paid employment for a defined period within the University summer break

How to apply

Step 1: Prepare an amazing CV and cover letter – telling us why you are passionate about working for MHV.

Need some help with this? No problem! Enrol now with Pūreirei – this is the Ngāi Tahu career starters tool for assistance with your application and even interview skills! Enrol early enough to ensure you are ready.

Step 2: Apply! Applications are open now and will close on Wednesday, 20th September.

Te Pia Tāpoi Scholarship 2023 – OPEN NOW!

Get on board the waka!

As a Ngāi Tahu tertiary student, you have more support than you may realise.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism is excited to be able to offer the Te Pia Tāpoi Scholarship for 2023.

This is an amazing opportunity for a Ngāi Tahu whānau member who is studying a tourism related qualification and would like support with study fees (up to $5000 per year for two years), the chance to get paid internships and invaluable work experience and to learn more about their iwi.

We are looking for tertiary students who are studying for a qualification and are eager for the opportunity to work within our exciting Tourism Businesses.

What can we offer you?

This scholarship is an opportunity for someone enthusiastic and hard-working to get support with study fees, paid holiday work and opportunities to grow their cultural skills
Support for up to two years while you study, working together to help you to achieve your individual goals
Providing the skills and knowledge to prepare you for work
Paid work placements within Ngāi Tahu Tourism’s commercial businesses
Opportunities to strengthen your connection with Ngāi Tahu via a range of cultural opportunities

Are you eligible?

Students must be:

a registered whānau member
currently studying an NZQA approved tertiary qualification in tourism
available to work in either Queenstown, Rotorua or Franz Josef during the summer holidays (accommodation is negotiable depending on location)
interested in working in the tourism sector
committed to participating in a cultural programme

Check out this story from one of our latest interns.

Applications close: Friday, 15th September 2023

Need assistance to apply?

In addition, we can help connect you with a mentor to prepare you to apply for this opportunity and even prepare you for an interview should you be successful! Visit: www.ngāitahu.iwi.nz/pureirei

To apply: Please email a cover letter and CV, including your transcript to Nicole Bowden at iwicapability@ngāitahu.iwi.nz. Please reference your email with the opportunity you are interested in.

Ngāi Tahu Sustainability Internship

Summer Internship

Location: Christchurch, Te Whare o Te Waipounamu

Part-time opportunity
Studying at year 3 or above

The Ngāi Tahu Holdings Sustainability team are looking for a passionate student to join them to support their current projects.

The teams purpose is to deliver on The Climate Change Action Plan, (Te Kounga Paparangi) and to embed sustainability across the Te Rūnanga Group. Te Kounga Paparangi sets ambitious goals to ensure our organisation is taking on the challenge of climate change. It is grounded across eight pou – influencing every part of our operations for the better.

The team is looking for someone who:

is studying in the environmental science with a passion for sustainability.
has strong analytical skills.
can work full-time over the summer
is available to work in the offices of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in Show Place, Addington.
a registered whānau member with a desire to work for your iwi.

What does the role involve:

This role would see the successful applicant reporting to the Sustainability Delivery Manager and supporting with data analysis, data input and scenario projections, predominantly relating to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction projects. It will also involve supporting with admin around other projects including the annual Farming team’s planting programme.

This internship is an awesome opportunity to join a fantastic, fun and dedicated team in a role where you will be well supported and have the opportunity to work on a range of different mahi assisting various members of the team and learning on the job.

Need assistance to apply?

In addition, we can help connect you with a mentor to prepare you for applying for this role and even prepare you for an interview should you be successful! Visit: www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz/pureirei

To apply: Please email a cover letter and CV, including your transcript to Nicole Bowden at [email protected]. Please reference your email with the opportunity you are interested in.

Applications close: Friday, 15^th September 2023

$5000 Scholarship & Summer Internship

12 weeks paid Summer Internship 2023/2024

Location: Auckland and Wellington based

Studying business, commerce, or law?
Want to work on a variety of projects that can be tailored for your qualifications and interests?
Interested in a $5,000 scholarship towards your fees?

Mercer and Ngāi Tahu are continuing with the opportunity to support a Ngāi Tahu rangatahi through a Scholarship and Summer Internship.

The position will see you working on supporting key projects and could include undertaking research, analysing data, and preparing information for Mercer’s wide variety of products and services, such as investment consulting and management, administration, superannuation consulting, actuarial and workforce solutions. You will be well supported with on boarding, mentoring and access to various learning opportunities.

What you’ll need:

Studying, ideally in your penultimate year or at least year 3 of a relevant degree in business or commerce/law
Effective communication skills
Analytical skills and the capacity to interpret qualitative and quantitative data
Effective problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
A desire to succeed and a positive attitude
Capability to think, articulate and write logically
To be a registered Ngāi Tahu whānau member

About Mercer: Mercer Careers

Mercer believes in building brighter futures by redefining the world of work, reshaping retirement, and investment outcomes, and unlocking real health and well-being. Mercer’s more than 25,000 employees are based in 44 countries and the firm operates in over 130 countries.

Mercer is a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people, with 85,000 colleagues and annual revenue of $20 billion. Through its market-leading businesses including Marsh, Guy Carpenter and Oliver Wyman, Marsh & McLennan helps clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. For more information, visit https://www.mercer.com/.

Marsh McLennan is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people regardless of their sex/gender, marital or parental status, ethnic origin, nationality, age, background, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Need assistance to apply?

In addition, we can help connect you with a mentor to prepare you for applying for this role and even prepare you for an interview should you be successful! Visit: www.Ngāitahu.iwi.nz/pureirei

To apply: Please email a cover letter and CV, including your transcript to Nicole Bowden at iwicapability@Ngāitahu.iwi.nz. Please reference your email with the opportunity you are interested in.

Applications close: Friday, 15th September 2023