Belong Aotearoa is seeking expressions of interest from employers and interns who want to participate in the Belonging Through Employment Internship Programme.

  • The programme matches the unique skills, talents and experiences of partners of skilled migrants to businesses through an up to three-month paid internship, subsidised by Belong Aotearoa.

The programme creates positive business and social impacts.

  • Employers tap into an underutilised talent pool and foster inclusion for business growth and success. At the same time, partners of skilled migrants are supported to re-establish their careers in Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting the successful settlement of their whole family.

In this time of economic recovery, we need to retain the expertise of skilled migrants who have made New Zealand their home.

  • The programme aligns with MBIE’s priority to increase the proportion of employed secondary applicants (partners) whose occupations match their skills and New Zealand ready qualifications.

  • When partners (also known as secondary applicants) have a positive settlement journey, including fulfilling employment, it improves retention rates for principal skilled migrants.

  • While partners of skilled migrants want to thrive in New Zealand, contribute meaningfully and work in their area of expertise, they experience multiple barriers to employment and experience poorer employment outcomes. Gaining local work experience, references & professional networks, plus greater understanding of NZ workplace values and expectations, is an important part of the solution.

  • The programme is an initiative of Belong Aotearoa, a non-profit innovation and social change hub working to address systemic barriers to positive settlement, integration and inclusion so newcomer migrants can enjoy and contribute to NZ’s collective wellbeing and prosperity & feel a true sense of belonging.

Key elements of the programme

  • A paid internship (Living Wage) up to three-months. Belong Aotearoa is able to contribute up to 50% of the cost of wages for the intern.

  • Pre-internship work-ready training (for intern).

  • Pre-internship ‘Working with newcomers’ session and training opportunities to support teams build welcoming and inclusive environments.

  • Intern coordinator based at Belong Aotearoa to provide support throughout, including regular check-ins with employer and intern.

  • Sharing positive impact stories following internship to broader business audience.

Belong Aotearoa is seeking expressions of interest from employers who want to participate in the Belonging Through Employment Internship Programme.