Rauru Paihere Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group Internship - Open Now

21 WHIRINGA-Ā-RANGI 2025 | 21 November 2025 

The Rauru Paihere internship programme, delivered by the Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group (MILG), provides opportunities for rangatahi to lead projects that strengthen or apply mātauranga within their own iwi contexts. Interns will co-design and deliver iwi-specific projects while receiving guidance and support from MILG.

Ngā Whāinga - Objectives: 

• Strengthen capacity and capability in mātauranga research and development.

• Provide practical project planning support and guidance throughout the internship.

• Support iwi, marae or hapū members to design and implement meaningful, iwi-specific projects.

Tirohanga Whānui - Overview 

• Application period: 29 October 2025 - 19 December 2025

• Duration: 3-months starting January 2026

• Location: Remote or can be based at iwi office if applicable

• Eligibility: Māori 18 years and over. You do not have to exclusively be a student to apply for this internship. 

• Work Type: Fixed-Term from 20-30 hours depending on availability. 

• Delivery: Mix of virtual support, in-person wānanga and self-led project implementation. 

Hanganga Hōtaka - Programme Structure

Week Key Activities

1-2 Programme Launch – Wānanga

3-4 Scoping, co-design, and planning

5-6 Iwi engagement and research/data gathering

7-10 Project Implementation

11 Final outputs (resource, presentation, or report)

12 Final Wānanga & presentations back to MILG and iwi

Iwi Commitment 

A successful internship will rely on active iwi support. Iwi are expected to tautoko their intern, providing opportunities for the rangatahi to implement projects that align with iwi priorities. This partnership ensures both the development of rangatahi and the strengthening of iwi mātauranga initiatives. 

MILG Commitment 

MILG will provide interns with pastoral care, mentoring, project management support, and access to wānanga and networks. They will have opportunities to explore areas of interest and connect with industry leads and practitioners to strengthen their knowledge and experience.

Application form Link: CLICK HERE

Ends

Media contact

Karetai Williams-Paul | karetai.williams@milg.co.nz  

Note for editors

Mātauranga ILG is one of eight Iwi Leaders Groups (ILGs) within Pou Tangata, responsible for education policy. Pou Tangata is one of the five Pou of the National Iwi Chairs Forum. The Forum exists to advocate and influence priorities of national significance on behalf of collective iwi interests. More information on Pou Tangata can be found here: www.poutangata.com

The Mātauranga ILG aims to improve the education outcomes to support lifelong learning for whānau, and ensure the development of intergenerational capability across iwi, hapū and whānau.

Mātauranga ILG is focused on ensuring ākonga Māori and their whānau are supported by an education system to achieve real, long lasting outcomes.