intern with us
Want to help make real-world projects happen, understand the environmental non-profit sector, and gain practical experience?
WRT is all about engaging with our Waiheke community, local businesses, and visitors on sustainable practices.
A voluntary internship is an opportunity to be part of the WRT tīma, explore Waiheke Island’s context and get involved in the initiatives happening here. We offer both holistic and project internships, and welcome discussions about how our work can fit in with your studies. We strive to tailor our internships to reciprocate the value you bring, and ensure an alignment of expectations!
What we offer
- We host voluntary interns all year round except for during our annual summer closure late Dec-early Jan
- We accommodate both on-site and remote interns (depending on specialisation).
- We recommend that you volunteer with us for two months or longer to get the hang of things, work on multiple projects, and really connect with the Waiheke community.
As a WRT intern, you will
- Have excellent communication and time management skills
- Be passionate about the environment
- Fit our culture of an open, flexible workspace
- Work proactively in a professional manner
- Adopt WRT’s culture statement, code of conduct, and policies
- Use initiative to work both independently and as part of a team
Potential focus areas
- GIS
- Graphic design (Adobe, Canva)
- Photography and videography
- Website development (WordPress)
- Administration and public-facing engagement
- Communications mahi: Mailchimp and social media content creation
- Research and report writing (dependent on your project)
2024/2025
We hosted 31 interns, including 17 fully remote. They have been involved with the running of our Centre, Kai Conscious Café and refillery, and worked in the virtual office doing research, communication and design mahi. They’ve gotten stuck in with our regular fieldwork activities and engaged with our community through a variety of educational workshops and fun events. Throughout the year, we received positive feedback and are proud to have provided our interns with truly meaningful and memorable experiences.
We have a continuous internship programme that offers both remote and in-person, full-time and part-time opportunities. We host individuals who seek practical experience, are exploring a career shift, or want to give back using their existing skillsets. We welcome international students as well as domestic students,
and support them to gain university credits whilst experiencing Aotearoa’s unique biodiversity and culture.
“Summing up my internship? Impactful, collaborative, educational, supportive,
inclusive, transformational”
– 2024 Onsite intern
A few of our past Interns
Erin McConville
U.S.A.
Erin is a 20 year old engineering student who came to New Zealand because of its beautiful landscape and friendly people.
At WRT, Erin used her GIS skills to map Little Oneroa catchment and the restoration work of Love Our Wetlands, contributed to our annual reports, helped organise and advertise Plastic Free July events, and learned how to live more sustainably!
Kai Duwe
Germany
WRT as working space is really lovely. You are not treated like an intern, you are part of the team.
I am from Hamburg and that is a very busy city. You work a lot and all people are really busy. On Waiheke and here at WRT you work hard but with the benefit is that you have nice people looking out for you.
Whenever you need support you will get it and whenever you’d like to experience anything special they give you the chance to.
Paige Blake
U.K.
Paige is a 22 year old Geography graduate who wanted to really get involved in the Waiheke community.
Her desserts at Kai Conscious Café were delicious, and she helped rescue food and welcome the community every week. Paige successfully organised a Little Oneroa planting day, and she managed Waiheke Sustainability Centre’s bookings and ecostore.
Alongside this, she also helped out in the office, in the field, and kept WRT’s social media humming along.
Frans Hoojimans
Netherlands
My experience as a WRT intern definitely made me more aware of the environment, food waste, and recycling. For example, at home we started to recycle more waste.
Also, I made it a habit for myself to use reusable cups and containers to bring my lunch. I even still use the WRT cup that I got as a present on my last day. They are small things on their own but can make quite an impact in the long run.
Overall, it made me more conscious about how to live more sustainably.
Tanya Putthapipat
Aotearoa
Learning about the different services that WRT has to offer made me do my own research to find similar services in Wellington.
After the remote internship I was even more aware on my purchases and over day to day living. Any way I could reduce less waste I did it. Started composting, but since I live in an apartment, I would take my bucket to my friends’ places. I’ve started carrying a mug now if I want to get a coffee to go and also a container.
Apply for an internship
Connect with our Grants & Operations Manager
Related resources
Volunteers and internships
Join one of our amazing projects and support our community and environment. There are plenty of activities to choose from!
Our services
Whether you are a visitor to Waiheke or a resident, life can be a little different from living in a city so we share ideas and information to help you live more sustainably and in tune with the island.