Toi Moana Summer Experience Programme 2026/27 (Fixed term, 12 weeks)

Bay of Plenty Regional Council; Whakatāne; On-site; NZD 9,600 - 14,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid summer position

Mentoring

Work across multiple offices

Job summary

Bay of Plenty Regional Council in Whakatāne invites applicants for the Toi Moana Summer Experience Programme 2026/27. The fixed-term role runs 12 weeks from 16 November 2026 to 5 February 2027, across offices in Rotorua, Whakatāne and Tauranga, offering paid practical work experience alongside experienced staff.

Ideal candidates are school leavers or students with a passion for the environment, a willingness to learn, and a valid NZ work eligibility.

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm and self-motivation for environmental work.
• Willingness to learn across multiple work areas.
• Ability to work with a team in a community environment.

Responsibilities

• Gain paid practical work experience across varied teams.
• Contribute to projects supporting the community and environment.
• Collaborate with staff in different regional offices.

Skills

Enthusiasm

Self-motivation

Willingness to learn

Job description

Toi Moana Summer Experience Programme 2026/27 (Fixed term, 12 weeks)

Bay of Plenty Regional Council – Whakatane, North Island

Thriving together -mō te taiao, mō ngā tāngata“for the environment, for the people”

He aha tā Toi Moana? | What’s on offer?

As a Summer Assistant, you’ll have the opportunity to gain paid practical work experience while working alongside passionate people; contributing to projects that make a difference to our community and our environment. You could be wading in rivers, working in a science lab or be based in one of our awesome offices.

For the 12 weeks of this Summer Experience Programme we’ll offer support and mentoring while you gain exposure to local government, giving you an opportunity to get a taste for a particular profession, a foot in the door to a specific industry, or just the chance to put your existing skills into action.

We have paid positions available over summer (16 November 2026 to 5 February 2027) across various work areas including:

• Compliance
• Legal & Commercial
• Land Management
• Laboratory / Data Collection
• IT/ Digital
• Rivers & Drainage Assets
• Te Amorangi
• Finance
• Information Management
• Emergency Management
• Transport
• Science
• Spatial Planning

Ko wai mātau? He aha te kaupapa nei? | About us and our Toi Moana Summer Experience Programme

At Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council we work towards the sustainable development of the region, now and into the future, guided and supported by Te Ao Māori. A major focus of our work involves looking after the taiao (environment), but we also have a broader responsibility along with others for the economic, social, and cultural well‑being of our regional community.

Our Toi Moana Summer Experience Programme has been running for over 35 years because we believe the best place to learn is on the job. There is no better place to contribute to your community and the environment you live in, while working alongside passionate and professional experts in their fields. Each year our Summer Assistants play an important role by supporting our teams and completing important pieces of work around the Bay of Plenty.

Our Summer Experience Programme is open to our community. You may be a school leaver with an interest in one of the work areas listed above; be studying, or planning to study, in a related area; or a member of the community with a passion for the environment who is looking for an opportunity to gain experience to forge a new career path.

A commitment to upholding the mana and integrity of our organisation through our values of Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga, Courage, Trust and Integrity.

Enthusiasm and self-motivation, with a passion for the environment and a willingness to learn about Te Ao Māori.

Availability to work between 16 November 2026 and 5 February 2027.

A valid driver’s licence and eligibility to work in NZ.

Positions will be based across our regional offices of Rotorua, Whakatāne and Tauranga.

Applications for all Summer Assistant roles close 12pm, Monday 14 September 2026 and will only be accepted online.