Summer Student: Water Quality & Ecology Field Internship

Hawke's Bay Regional Council; Napier; On-site; NZD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

NZD 27/hour

Job summary

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in Napier, North Island invites applications for a paid Summer Student – Water Quality and Ecology. The fixed-term internship runs from November 2026 to mid‑March/April 2027, with full-time hours and dates arranged around exams.

You will assist with recreational water quality monitoring, coastal ecology, and ecosystem health assessments at representative sites. You should be well-organised, able to work independently or in a team, and have an interest in water

Qualifications

• You will have completed or be studying towards a formal qualification in a relevant field.
• Confident working in and around waterways and undertaking days of solo driving and fieldwork.
• A valid driver’s licence is essential and competency driving a 4WD vehicle would be advantageous.
• Ability to undertake the inherent requirements of the role, including any physical tasks associated with the position.
• Current working rights in New Zealand to be considered for the placements.
• Based in Hawke’s Bay for the summer period during the programme.

Responsibilities

• Assist Water Quality and Ecology team with monitoring programmes.
• Undertake water quality sampling and ecology observations at lakes, rivers and estuaries.
• Measure key water quality parameters and contribute to State of Environment assessments.
• Support special investigations and data management as required.

Skills

Well-organised

Initiative

Independent & team work

Interpersonal skills

Analytical & technical skills

Problem solving

MS Word

Excel

Database management systems

Interest in water quality & ecology

Education

Formal qualification in a relevant field

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Database management systems

Job description

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in Napier, North Island invites applications for a paid Summer Student – Water Quality and Ecology. The fixed-term internship runs from November 2026 to mid‑March/April 2027, with full-time hours and dates arranged around exams.

You will assist with recreational water quality monitoring, coastal ecology, and ecosystem health assessments at representative sites. You should be well-organised, able to work independently or in a team, and have an interest in water