Internship opportunities

This programme has been particularly valuable for students who have an international component to their career aspirations and are curious about the intersection between politics, business, legal and policy frameworks, and networking. 

Introduction  

The NZ US Council was founded in 2001 as a non-partisan, non-government organisation, focused on advancing New Zealand’s relationship with the United States. The Council has secured a position as a preeminent policy conduit for business, academia, and others invested in NZ–US connections, engaging in both formal and informal government and business processes involving the US.

Underpinning the council’s current strategy is:

• a desire to broaden the narrative relating to the US
• recognise the extraordinary breadth, value and potential of the relationship
• encourage ongoing engagement with, and commitment to, a stable rules-based approach to all aspects of bilateral, multilateral and plurilateral cooperation. 

Programme Overview

The internship offers five New Zealand university students the opportunity to intern in Congressional offices in Washington D.C. over a period of approximately nine weeks, from mid-November 2025 to mid-January 2026.

• Start dates will be confirmed based on exam schedules and visa processing, but are expected to fall during the week of 10 or 17 November 2025, with internships concluding on either 9 or 16 January 2026.
• Interns are placed across five congressional offices, with at least two Democrat and two Republican placements.
• Each intern receives a US$50 daily stipend and is provided with shared apartment accommodation (one apartment for men, one for women) located near Capitol Hill.
• Travel insurance is mandatory for all interns and can be reimbursed.· Interns may choose to undertake additional private travel in the US following the internship, at their own expense.
• The interns could be placed in either a Democratic or Republican office, so we would prefer candidates who can approach the experience with an open mind and in a spirit of curiosity and goodwill.

All visa processing is managed through InterExchange/Career Training USA, a designated US visa sponsor based in New York. Selected interns and their assigned congressional offices will be required to complete documentation via the InterExchange portal before applying for a J-1 visa through the US Consulate-General in Auckland.

Who are they looking for:

• Comfortable working in dynamic environments with people managing competing priorities and fast-paced workflows.
• Realistic about the fact that some intern responsibilities involve administrative support and behind-the-scenes coordination.
  
• Proactive in developing connections, initiating conversations, and capitalising on networking opportunities.
  
• Able to accurately and constructively articulate New Zealand perspectives where appropriate – this includes a youth ambassador element.
  
• Skilled at reading a room and adjusting tone, approach and contribution based on context.
  
• Curious, open-minded, and respectful of differing political and ideological perspectives.
  

Applications

Applications should go to the Dean's EA no later than 15 August 2025.

Applicants must provide a covering letter about themselves and their suitability for the US congressional internship, including confirmation of NZ citizenship, plus their CV and academic transcript. Applicants must also submit a short video recording (up to three minutes) in which they introduce themselves and discuss their interest in, and suitability for, the internship.

Please note: Each university may submit a shortlist of up to six candidates (for two internship spots). The final selection will be made by the NZUS Council’s selection committee in late August.

Important: Applicants must be willing to make their social media profiles publicly accessible during the US J-1 visa process, as per US State Department requirements.