DairyNZ and AgResearch’s joint internship has been established to provide opportunities for tauira Māori to gain experience working within Aotearoa’s primary sector.
About us
Te whanake anamata angitu mō ngā pāmu kau o Aotearoa - Progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming, is our purpose at DairyNZ. We are the industry-good organisation that represents dairy farmers. At DairyNZ, we seek ways to incorporate te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori into our research and projects to derive better outcomes for Māori and the dairy sector.
AgResearch uses science to enhance the value, productivity and profitability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agrifood and agri-technology sector value chains to contribute to economic growth and beneficial environmental and social outcomes for New Zealand. At AgResearch we embrace mātauranga Māori knowledge systems as equally valued to experimental science and are impact focused on the challenges in Te Ao Māori with our Māori partners.
Your opportunity
We are looking for passionate and dedicated tauira Māori to join us for our DairyNZ / Bioeconomy Science Institute - AgResearch Joint Internship. Dates for the 12-week internship are flexible between October 2025 and March 2026. This is a great opportunity for you to gain exposure and experience across an industry-good body, and a public research organisation.
We have two exciting internships available:
1. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
An internship focused on waterway health, including; E.coli monitoring, eDNA, and catchment management. Ideal background: Preferably studying towards or have recently received an undergraduate or master’s degree in science or a related field (e.g., science communication, environmental law).
2. MĀORI PARTNERSHIPS
An internship focused on opportunities to work alongside experienced kaimahi as they engage with Māori Partners (agribusiness, hāpū) and support kaupapa Māori approaches.
Ideal background: Preferably studying towards or have recently received an undergraduate or master’s degree in Māori Studies, Mātauranga Māori, Social Sciences, or equivalent work experience in this field.
We’d love to hear from you if you have;
- An understanding or enthusiasm for Te Ao Māori, Mātauranga Māori or Kaupapa Māori.
- A passion for the primary industry.
- Akeen attitude and motivation to work in an innovative environment.
- Good workplace safety behaviours, taking all practicable steps to ensure your own and others’ safety.
Successful applicants will be based in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton at the AgResearch Ruakura campus and DairyNZ Ruakura office.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to build your skills and confidence under the guidance of kaimahi Māori, science teams and alongside other tauira and early career researchers. Upon completing your internship, you will have the opportunity to present your learnings and experience from the internship at our intern wānanga where you will be immersed in mātauranga Māori and learn about local kaitiakitanga practices.
Benefits:
- Mentorship and guidance
- Gaining practical skills and experience from experts in your field
- Develop connections with the science and research community
Ready to start your internship journey?
Complete the application form via this link and email to [email protected]. Applications close: Sunday 7 September 2025 at 11:50pm.
