Social & Community Development Internships in Auckland
If you’re looking to gain experience exploring and supporting the complex needs of a community’s most vulnerable, then a Social & Community Development internship is for you. Collaborate alongside dedicated professionals in their efforts to empower, educate and invoke change in those from a range of backgrounds.
Internship Highlights:
- Learn about the issues faced by other members of society and how you can help to address them
- Gain insight into diverse communities and culturally relevant approaches to social work practice
- Enjoy the world famous tourist adventures on offer in New Zealand
Type of host organizations:
- District health boards
- Non-governmental organizations
- Community-based health and social services organizations
Internship details
If you’re looking to gain experience exploring and supporting the complex needs of a community’s most vulnerable, then a Social & Community Development internship is for you. You’ll collaborate alongside dedicated professionals in their efforts to empower, educate and invoke change in those from a range of backgrounds. Internship within this rewarding field provide an amazing opportunity for those drawn to helping and advocating for others.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation included. Click here to view remote Psychology & Social Work internships, which you can undertake from home.
New Zealand’s social service workers play an important role in the community. Despite being a developed country, which is highly ranked for peace, happiness and more, New Zealand communities still face very real challenges. New Zealand’s rates of child poverty, domestic violence, addiction and alcohol issues are high, and the sectors which work to address such issues struggle with being understaffed and under-resourced.
A broad range of placements can be connected to the field of social work and community development. Interns should expect that their current level of experience will be taken into consideration, when providing the internship placement. There is scope for interns to be placed with both government, as well as non governmental organizations. Such organizations in New Zealand are involved with client welfare in a number of ways - whether responding to client needs and crises directly, or providing auxiliary support or referrals. Priorities may be related to support for addiction, mental health, and abuse, as well as working to support community members with diverse needs, such as the elderly, at-risk youth, and people with disabilities.
Your participation as an intern means being flexible to interact with diverse cultures and demographics. While interns should not expect to be directly responsible for any client/patient care, you’ll assist (relevant to your level of skills and experience) with the provision of support, services and care for people. For example, internship tasks in this field may involve:
- Assist with age appropriate recreational and developmental programs (encompassing social, emotional and physical development)
- Assist with programs focused on the creation of self-esteem and wellbeing
- Contribute to the creation of information / client resources and support networks
- Support fundraising teams who deliver annual appeals (and other activities)
- Contribute to any relevant materials development (e.g. proposals, impact reports, letters, flyers, certificates, etc.)
- Assist with database management and reporting (e.g. data entry of donor records, partner and community supporter databases, client information, case notes, etc)
- Shadow professionals in the provision of support for people in crisis (e.g. provision of professional advice, assistance to access benefits and accommodation, etc.)
If you have specific skills or would like to focus your internship on a particular area, please include details in your application. All interns wishing to fulfill academic requirements during this internship must outline their needs in advance.
In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.
Understand and expect that individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.
Typical Schedule
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Approximately Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
Career Benefits
Social & Community Development interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Working collectively on group projects, workshops and other with diverse people and children
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Community outreach, campaigning, surveying and collecting demographic based data
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Supporting child development, safety and well-being
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Building effective client and partner relationships
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Supporting programs which promote community wellbeing
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Support fundraising teams who deliver annual appeals and other campaigns
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Assist with database management and reporting
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Shadow professionals in the provision of support for clients and partners
Professional development opportunities:
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Develop your understanding of complex issues and how best to assist those in need
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Gain mentoring, support and listening skills
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Experience helping families and communities
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Raise awareness of social issues and support fundraising campaigns
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Are you eligible for this internship?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
New Zealand photo gallery
What recent interns said about their experience
I chose this particular internship program with Intern Abroad HQ, as a Psychology student, because I wanted to get hands-on experience and work with children as my future profession (once I have obtained my Phd. in Clinical and Child Psychology). I want to be engaging with youth professionally, and this internship enabled me to perform to the best of my ability. During the internship, I had the opportunity to work with kids with learning disabilities, and this internship was my first-hand professional experience working in that setting. The skills gained in this journey were adaptability and professional experience that will help me in my next step for the future. This experience taught me that a disability is nothing when young people have the passion and desire to complete a task. It was amazing to witness that and be part of that community.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic credit available for all internships
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing an internship abroad or remote internship program with Intern Abroad HQ.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$499 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$499 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
---|---|
12 weeks | $4,834 Equivalent to $57 /day |
16 weeks | $5,904 Equivalent to $52 /day |
20 weeks | $6,864 Equivalent to $49 /day |
24 weeks | $7,824 Equivalent to $46 /day |
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- All meals
- All in-country transportation
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
- A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to secure your internship
- It is important to note that internships in Auckland do not include meals and interns should budget to cover this Independently. Kitchen facilities are provided in all accommodation for independent meal preparation. An accommodation security deposit of approx. NZ$700 must be paid in-country but this is fully refundable, subject to inspection of the accommodation upon departure and confirmation that there have been no damages.
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 70 days before your internship start date. The Program Fee payment can also be completed in installments through our Zero-Fee Payment Plan. Learn more.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Activities and tourism
During the internship program, weekends are available for free time and leisure activities. As New Zealand’s main hub, there is no shortage of attractions and natural landmarks to check out in Auckland, as well as ongoing arts, sporting, cultural and entertainment events. The Auckland Civic Theatre and Auckland Town Hall often host events and performances to enjoy and the Aotea Square is typically home to various festivals. Auckland’s main venues for sporting events and concerts include Eden Park, Mt Smart Stadium, and the Spark Arena. For museum and art enthusiasts, don’t miss Auckland War Memorial Museum, MOTAT, Auckland Art Gallery, and New Zealand Maritime Museum. The Rainbow’s End amusement park is a fun weekend activity but thrillseekers shouldn’t look past New Zealand’s natural attractions and adventure tourism activities for the best way to really get out and experience the country!
Our local team in New Zealand are available to advise you on some of the greatest things to see and do, so that you can really make the most of your time - especially if you want to connect with others to make new friends and explore the region socially. Whether connecting for dinners, joining social events, planning weekend excursions such as hikes, winery tours, surfing trips, white water rafting, black water rafting, hot pools, or… let’s face it… a visit to Hobbiton, our team are available to ensure you make incredible memories that will last a lifetime.
Once you have confirmed your internship in New Zealand and are in the planning stages of your trip, you’ll be welcome to reach out to our Auckland based team for support, if you want advance information about planning your free time (especially if you want to plan activities and travel either before or after your internship duration). Otherwise, you can expect to learn more about the free-time opportunities during your internship orientation in-country. The team will always remain available throughout your internship as well, should you wish to sign up for activities as you go!
Arrival and Orientation
Internships in Auckland begin every Monday. Exceptions may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity. Interns may choose to spend a minimum of 12 weeks, up to a maximum of 24 weeks.
Airport pick up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee. Interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as all orientations are held on Mondays. The port of entry is the Auckland Airport (AKL). Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to the accommodation.
If you are planning to spend time independently in Auckland prior to your internship and will not require an international airport pick up, we can arrange an alternative pick up from another convenient location within the city.
The last night of the accommodation is calculated according to your arrival date. For example, if you arrive on the Sunday night before your Monday start date, then you would depart on the Sunday of your last week. If you arrive a day earlier, on the Saturday instead, then you will check out from the accommodation on the Saturday of your last week. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested and are subject to availability.
Orientations are mandatory and currently held remotely. You will receive an invite for this. During your orientation, you’ll have the chance to meet the local staff and other interns (that are starting on the same date as you), discuss program expectations, responsibilities, and requirements. The orientation covers essential details about your host country, safety, accommodation guidelines, cultural customs and differences, weekend excursions, etc.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
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Accommodation and WiFi
All interns in Auckland, New Zealand, are accommodated in student apartments within or near the city. The central location of the accommodation is ideal for commuting to internship placements within the downtown area. These apartments are close to public transportation routes, as well as shops, restaurants, cafes, entertainment, and parks. Public buses also provide access to surrounding beaches and popular seaside suburbs, such as Takapuna and Mission Bay.
Apartments are small and basic, yet clean, comfortable, secure and adequately furnished. Interns can expect to have their own private room and bedding is provided. The apartment can be co-inhabited with up to 5 other international students / interns, so the kitchen and living room are shared spaces. (The typical apartment size is 3 bedrooms, with a maximum of one guest per room, but some apartments have capacity for 4-5 bedrooms). All roommates are expected to respect common areas, keeping them clean, tidy and comfortable for all guests. Laundry facilities are also available within the accommodation.
Please expect apartments to be mixed gender in the city centre. Single sex apartments are possible, but this needs to be specified in advance and is subject to availability. If you are interning alongside a friend, please let us know and we can aim to ensure you’re accommodated together (subject to availability).
WiFi is not included within all of the apartments (in some cases, it may be available for an additional fee, taken care of in-country). The internship orientation will provide a local sim card, which you can use to ensure you have data and connectivity on your own smartphone. Ensure that your phone is unlocked for international use prior to your arrival in New Zealand, so that you can use the sim card and stay online.
It is important to note that an accommodation bond may be requested from the accommodation provider. The cost of the bond may range between NZD$250 - NZD$600, so you must budget for this. However, this bond is fully refundable to you, upon your departure, provided that inspection has been completed to confirm that you have not caused damage to the property. Room changes are unavailable. No compensation or refund will be offered should an intern independently choose alternative lodging during their stay.
The accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. Since we work with more than one apartment, the exact accommodation that you’re assigned may differ from the photos. Rooms sizes, along with storage space, varies. However, you may assume to receive a single-sized bedroom (as per the photos).
Meals
It is important to note that internships in Auckland do not include meals. However, the shared apartment (which is included in the Program Fee) provides kitchen facilities where interns are welcome to prepare their own meals and snacks. A recommended food budget of US$100 - US$150 should be sufficient for purchasing weekly groceries to prepare meals and packed lunches. You should budget more for meal purchases if you eat out frequently. There are some relatively affordable eateries, including Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian options (and more). There is a booming food scene in the city and the Britomart waterfront precinct, comprised of heritage buildings, hosts an eclectic collection of bars, cafés and restaurants. Chat to your internship placement colleagues for the best local tips about where to go for great taste and value!
Essential country information
Capital | Wellington |
Population | 4.79 million |
Languages | English, Māori, NZ Sign Language |
Currency | New Zealand dollar ($ - NZD) |
Time zone | UTC+12:00 |
Weather and climate:
New Zealand is considered to have a maritime or temperate oceanic climate, meaning that both the summers and winters are typically moderate. Rainfall, wind and cloud cover can occur year round and conditions vary from wetter on the west coast, to dryer in inland or eastern regions. In Auckland, where the internship program is based, the summers are comfortable (from late December through late March) and the winters are cold and wet. The average daily high temperature throughout the summer is between 15°C and 24°C (59°F and 75°F). In the winter, it’s between 8°C and 16°C (46°F and 60°F).