9 Best Internships in New Zealand in 2025

With everyone and their mothers asking you about your post-grad plans, wouldn’t it be nice to just get away for awhile? Kick your feet up on a white sand beach? Hike a mountain with views that are too good to be real? Maybe go bungee jumping, just so you can scream enough to clear your head? Well, you can do all of those things while still gaining real-life, resume-building skills when you complete a New Zealand internship. 

The New Zealand beach is calling your name!

New Zealand is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, full of ever-changing landscapes, welcoming people (AKA Kiwis), and bustling cities. There are many companies that are eager to take on interns. This means they will give you the hands-on experience that will set you apart from the growing applicant pools back home, while still letting you enjoy all that NZ has to offer, like last-minute trips to the Coromandel or spending happy hour sipping on locally made wine and craft beer. It also happens that the country is incredibly safe for travelers, so your friends and loved ones can rest assured. New Zealand is the ideal place to go to complete an internship.

Unfortunately, securing an internship on your own can be incredibly daunting and difficult if you don’t know where to look, which is where program providers come in. These organizations can help match you with great, high-level companies, find you housing, and give you support along your whole journey. You’ll be happier than a hobbit! No matter your situation, there is a program out there that will be the perfect fit for you. To take some of the guesswork out of it, we’ve made a list of nine of the best internships in New Zealand, offering different durations, locations, disciplines, and price ranges, so you can get exactly what you’re looking for!

What makes these programs the “best”

GoAbroad specializes in collecting real stories, feedback, and insights from past student travelers about their experiences on intern abroad programs. We take their reviews very seriously, and hope these snapshots of life abroad can help inform and educate future student travelers with reasonable expectations for their own experience abroad. While there are dozens of excellent organizations offering New Zealand internship programs, some just rise above the rest. 

Typically, the best New Zealand internships tick off all of the following boxes:

• Positive feedback. What do reviews and other alumni have to say about their experiences? Though your needs might not be theirs, you can give some level of credibility to the “horse’s mouths.” Consider their feedback as you discern your options for college internship programs in New Zealand. 
• Clarity and availability of information. If you have to hunt down basic program details, there might be something fishy going on.
• Organizational partnerships—most are partnered or work with other respected national, local, or international organizations. 
• Resources for alumni, like how to put your experience on your resume or keep building on your time abroad so it’s not an isolated experience.
• Demonstrated respect and care for local culture, environment, individuals. You can get a feel for this in the photos and language they use to market themselves. No elephant riding, no exploitative photos with children, etc.
• Level of support and assistance. Do they email you back promptly? Are you confident in their safety rating and the level of support you’ll get before, during, AND after your program?
• Respect within your field of study. Consider a program that makes people that you look up to go “Wow.”

9 best New Zealand internship programs for 2025

1. New Zealand Internships: Professional Internship Program—Rating 9.74 

The most popular of NZI’s programs, the Professional Internship Program will give you the skills and experience you need to secure a job in your field, whatever it may be! NZI helps find you a perfect placement almost anywhere in New Zealand. You can also get university credit for completing your internship, which makes the intercontinental commute all the more worthwhile! In-country staff even takes you on different trips around the country, giving you the chance to travel, stress-free, while gaining valuable work experience. Take it from a former student: “Working here in New Zealand is like living in a dream and that’s all thanks to New Zealand Internships!”—Candice, Former Internship Abroad Student. 

• Where: All major cities in NZ
• When: Year round, any duration
• Types: Human Resources, Physiotherapy, Engineering, Marketing, + more
• More info: Read NZI reviews

2. CISabroad: New Zealand Internships—Rating 8.38

Want to spend your summer interning in “The Coolest Little Capital in the World”? Then CISabroad is the provider for you! As the job market gets more and more competitive, they understand the importance of gaining practical, global skills to make you stand out in a sea of resumes. By helping you secure unique, custom internships, you’re sure to come away with experience that is well-tailored to your goals. They offer lots of engineering internships in New Zealand, too, so even those interested in fields that are tough to break into will be able to find something that suits them! Their program is also specifically designed to immerse you in the Kiwi culture, by teaching you Kiwi and Maori slang and traditions, showing you around the local hotspots, and placing you in centrally-located apartments with other interns. Sweet as!

• Where: Wellington
• When: Year round, 2-3 months
• Types: Design, Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Natural & Applied Sciences, + more
• More info: Read CISabroad reviews

3. World Internships: New Zealand—Rating 8.83

If you’re looking for a bit of freedom in New Zealand, World Internships may be a great company for you to check out! WI carefully secures you the perfect internship and housing to meet your needs, and supports you along your whole journey, but you don’t have to feel suffocated by constant emails and events. Their hands-off approach is perfect for those who want to stretch their independence, while still having a helpful team behind them! Wellington and Auckland are also known for being two of the most livable cities in the world, making them the ideal places to work and live while completing your engineering internship in New Zealand, for example! Regardless of what industry you’re interested in, World Internships is sure to find you a great company to work with during you fall, winter, spring, or summer internship in New Zealand.

• Where: Wellington, Auckland
• When: Year round, 8-16 weeks
• Types: Psychology, Photography, Engineering, Sustainable & Conservation, Law, Film, + more
• More info: Read World Internships’ reviews

4. Intern NZ: Wellington/Auckland—Rating 9.4

InternNZ provides placements in two of New Zealand’s most bustling cities: Wellington and Auckland. With a wide variety of industries, durations, and departure times to choose from, they offer great flexibility and support before, during, and after your journey as well! InternNZ has connections to a plethora of high-level, hands-on jobs. So, rest assured that you won’t just be getting people coffees and pushing papers around! This experience will take what you’ve learned in classrooms and transfer it to real world situations, not to mention give you great global connections! Plus, they offer programs year round, so it’s ideal for a summer internship in New Zealand!

• Where: Wellington, Auckland
• When: Year round, any duration
• Types: Business, IT, Construction, Education, Fashion, Conservation, + more
• More info: Read Intern NZ reviews

5. BUNAC: Work New Zealand—Rating 10

Talk about an internship that will take you places! BUNAC finds you placements all across NZ in nearly any discipline, so sky’s the limit here. They also have connections to many of the companies who prefer to take on short-term, international employees, ensuring that you will find a place where you feel welcome. Founded in 1962, BUNAC is the most knowledgeable and experienced provider when it comes to pre-departure prep, visa assistance, and in-country support. Rather than stressing your weekends away, you’ll be able to visit wine country, go hike the Remarkables, or tour Hobbiton! We couldn’t agree more with what this participant had to say: “If you’re wanting to travel and want that extra bit of security and guidance, BUNAC is an excellent company to go with!” – Caroline, Former Internship Abroad Student

• Where: All major cities in NZ
• When: Year round, 1-12 months
• Types: Architecture, Law, Marketing, Hospitality, + more
• More info: Read BUNAC reviews

6. CareerDC: Internships in New Zealand—Rating 10

If you have no idea where to start when it comes to finding your NZ internship, CareerDC is at your service! They consult with each applicant before enrolment, help you perfect you CV (AKA your resume), and provide you with interview training until your placement is confirmed. You’ll be able to get political science, psychology, or engineering internships in New Zealand, no problem! Once you get to NZ, you’ll be in one of three of the countries largest cities: Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. These are some of the best places to live if you’re looking to travel around the country during your stay, because flights and buses are always coming in and out! Hop on down to jet boat in Queenstown or go all the way up Cape Reinga lighthouse in a breeze! Valuable work and travel experience sounds like the best of both worlds to us!

• Where: Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch
• When: Year round, any duration
• Types: Engineering, Tourism, Political Science, IT, Psychology, + more
• More info: Read CareerDC reviews

7. The Education Abroad Network: New Zealand Internships—Rating 10

TEAN is known for providing excellent student support before, during, and after your internship experience, so you’ll never feel alone! The staff is always there to answer questions, no matter how silly, and in-country staff provides a welcome orientation and several free cultural events throughout you time abroad. You’ll really get to experience everything your host city has to offer! The field you want to intern in is completely up to you, giving you a lot of flexibility when it comes to duration and location! If you’re looking to gain experience in between semesters, they can also help you find the perfect summer internship in New Zealand, and have many programs designed for just that! TEAN really cares and wants you to have a great experience, just like this student had: “I’m forever thankful for New Zealand and TEAN for allowing me the opportunity to live a dream and plan for my not-so-distant adulthood, all at the same time.” – Janelle, Former Internship Abroad Student

• Where: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North
• When: Summer (8 weeks), Semester (14 weeks), or custom (6+ weeks)
• Types: Architecture, Design, Engineering, Veterinary Studies, Ecotourism, Adventure Recreation, + more
• More info: Read TEAN reviews

8. Pure Exploration: Adventure Guide Internship Program—Rating 9.22

Now this is the kind of internship you can only find in The Adventure Capital of the World! Queenstown is the home of many adrenaline-pumping activities, most notably the world’s first bungee jump, so it’s safe to say you’ll be an expert Adventure Guide once you’re done with this internship! Among many other things, you’ll gain qualifications in first aid, swift water rescue, critical incident management, and rock climbing and hiking instructing. The best part? You don’t need to have a background in adventure sports to complete this internship; as long as you’re reasonably fit and up for the challenge, they’ll teach you everything you need to know! If you love the outdoors and want to go home with great stories and marketable, technical experience, Pure Exploration would be the perfect place to start.

• Where: Queenstown
• When: Year round, 12 weeks
• Types: Adventure Tourism, but open to all!
• More info: Read Pure Exploration reviews 

9. ELI Abroad: Professional Internships in NZ—Rating 10.0

ELI Abroad wants students to have a worthwhile, marketable experience without getting overwhelmed by all the planning and costs. They have a wide array of internships to offer you, so, no matter what you’re studying in school or what you want to do in the future, ELI will find you the perfect fit. Their in-country support will help you combat homesickness, sort out all of your housing needs, and teach you about New Zealand culture and customs. You’ll know the difference between a Tim Tam and a Toffee Pop in no time! Plus, as a non-profit organization, program prices are reasonable and affordable, and you can trust that any “profit” you do give them will go straight back into the program, or to other charitable causes. ELI Abroad is definitely an organization that you’ll be proud to represent at your internship!

• Where: Wellington, Auckland
• When: Year round, 6-12 weeks
• Types: Accounting, Civil Engineering, Museums, Marine Biology, + more
• More info: Read ELI Abroad reviews

[Still Not Sure? Check Out ALL Internship Programs in New Zealand!]

Now you’re ready for your New Zealand internship!

New Zealand is calling your name.

Bottom-line? Interning abroad gives you the chance to develop important, transferable skills to take with you into the job market and pushes you outside of your comfort zone to gain more confidence and perspective. Even though you can get a lot out of an internship in your hometown, going to the other side of the planet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you won’t regret, regardless of your program. And, of course, there’s no better place to go than New Zealand.

As one of the most breathtaking, adventurous, and unique places in the world, you’ll always be able to find something new to enjoy, and it’s all right at your fingertips. During those brief moments where you aren’t busy working or off exploring, you can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that you’re living the dream.