Internship opportunity

Moo tatou: He taiao toonui moo ngaa reanga katoa

We are at the forefront of policy and tackle issues that impact the environment by making decisions that reflect the Treaty of Waitangi, are grounded in maatauranga, science, and evidence, and bringing te aao Maaori into our everyday work. We connect people and communities with te Taiao, and support the economic, social, and cultural prosperity of Aotearoa by bringing the environment to the heart of decision-making for the benefit of future generations.

We collaborate and partner with others to reach improved environmental outcomes by listening, engaging, investing, and monitoring to see what's working. We drive constant improvement across the environmental and natural resource system.

Moo teenei tuurangi mahi: Tuakana-Teina

The internships provide important opportunities for you to develop your skills in the public sector and improve relationships between your iwi and the Ministry for the Environment (MfE). Through a Tuakana-Teina approach you will provide MfE with creative ideas, a fresh look at the issues we are exploring, and will help us build our capacity and capability in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, kaitiakitanga, maatauranga and te aao Maaori. As Teina you will be in a supportive environment with Tuakana that awhi and provide you with first-hand experience and exposure to our everyday mahi.

Ngaa puukenga me ngaa wheako: Ngaa kaitiaki mo te taiao

There are a range of environmental work programmes within MfE that are on offer. We will work together to find a programme of relevance to the skills and needs of you and your iwi. The mahi you do will be related to your assigned team’s objectives. This may include assisting with activities in research, analysis and delivery of new projects and programmes. We want to be challenged by your curious, creative, and innovative ideas that embody te aao Maaori, tikanga, maatauranga, Te Tiriti, and kaitiakitanga.

We value your lived experiences, maatauranga, and te aao Maaori strategic lens. You will learn from each other, your wider cohort, your Tuakana, and those you meet while at MfE. You will also:

• think critically about problems and explore broadly for solutions steeped in tikanga me te aao Maaori
• embody whakapapa relationship values to waananga and influence equitable outcomes
• have effective communication skills.

It is not critical that you are currently undertaking a degree (or have recently completed one), although you may have interests in Resource Management, Planning, Policy, Law, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Marine Science, Communications, Marketing, or Graphic Design that add value to MfE mahi.

We currently have River Iwi intern opportunities in the following areas:

• Maaori Climate Action Team - Support the team in the analysis and preparation of collateral to support the application of indigenous frameworks to policy and legislation. This will be used to support pre consultation planning for the Emissions Reduction Plan and Climate Adaptation Bill Jan / Feb 24. You will also assist with mapping at place climate strategies and develop ways of incorporating Rohe based initiatives to Iwi and Hapu Climate Resilient Strategies.
• Strategic Partnerships - Supporting Strategic Partnerships Team (SPT) with a range of activities including scoping a potential partnership to explore meaningful pathways to bring Rangatahi/Intergenerational voice to the Boardroom (re climate and nature/intergenerational issues).
• Climate/Resource Management - Support the development of National Direction to improve management of risk from natural hazards through the resource management system.
• Fresh Water Rights and Interests – Work with the team in producing recommendations report on freshwater allocation, including a process for Crown engagement with iwi and hapū, at the regional or local level, on freshwater allocation.
• Policy Implementation and Development:
  • Te Ao Maaori Policy – Two opportunities - this work will focus on the process to appoint Māori members to Regional Planning Committees, co-development of guidance documents to support iwi and hapū and associated engagement.
  • Maaori Engagement – Support the team on the design of an engagement and communications approach, considering the risks and opportunities for policy and Māori audiences. You will work across a range of workstreams to develop plans, guidance and supporting information.