Join Intern Abroad HQ, the world’s most affordable international internship organization, and invest in your future with a Social & Community Development Internship in New Zealand.

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If you’re looking to gain experience exploring and supporting the complex needs of a community’s most vulnerable, then a Social & Community Development internship is for you. Collaborate alongside dedicated professionals in their efforts to empower, educate and invoke change in those from a range of backgrounds.

This program ranges from 12-24 weeks and has start dates every Monday throughout the year.

Your fully-hosted experience includes sourcing of your internship placement, personalization of your project plan, airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals, and onsite student support. See our full list of fees and inclusions on our website.
 
Participants must have a minimum of one year in further education (college/university) in a relevant field, such as education, health sciences, psychology or social work. Previous experience working with children is desirable, as well as a knowledge of social work practice and theories.

This internship is conducted in English.
New Zealand’s social service workers play an important role in the community. Despite being a developed country, which is highly ranked for peace, happiness and more, New Zealand communities still face very real challenges. New Zealand’s rates of child poverty, domestic violence, addiction and alcohol issues are high, and the sectors which work to address such issues struggle with being understaffed and under-resourced.

A broad range of placements can be connected to the field of social work and community development. Interns should expect that their current level of experience will be taken into consideration, when providing the internship placement. There is scope for interns to be placed with both government, as well as non governmental organizations. Such organizations in New Zealand are involved with client welfare in a number of ways - whether responding to client needs and crises directly, or providing auxiliary support or referrals. Priorities may be related to support for addiction, mental health, and abuse, as well as working to support community members with diverse needs, such as the elderly, at-risk youth, and people with disabilities.

Your participation as an intern means being flexible to interact with diverse cultures and demographics. While interns should not expect to be directly responsible for any client/patient care, you’ll assist (relevant to your level of skills and experience) with the provision of support, services and care for people. For example, internship tasks in this field may involve:

• Assist with age appropriate recreational and developmental programs (encompassing social, emotional and physical development),
• Assist with programs focused on the creation of self-esteem and wellbeing,
• Contribute to the creation of information / client resources and support networks,
• Support fundraising teams who deliver annual appeals,
• Contribute to any relevant materials development (e.g. proposals, impact reports, letters, flyers, certificates),
• Assist with database management and reporting (e.g. data entry of donor records, partner and community supporter databases, client information, case notes),
• Shadow professionals in the provision of support for people in crisis (e.g. provision of professional advice, assistance to access benefits and accommodation).

If you have specific skills or would like to focus your internship on a particular area, please include details in your application. All interns wishing to fulfill academic requirements during this internship must outline their needs in advance.

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.

Understand and expect that individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.
 
Intern Abroad HQ's New Zealand programs are available year-round, with start dates every Monday.

Intern Abroad HQ provides the most affordable and top-rated programs. Check out our intern reviews on our website.

We match you with innovative and entrepreneurial host organizations around the world that give you the opportunity to make a real contribution on high-impact projects with the support of travel experts with an outstanding safety system and track record.

Our experiential learning approach provides a structured and guided platform for you to think critically about your experiences on your internship. It accelerates and deepens your learning by asking self-reflective questions around the contexts, actions, and outcomes of your placement.

Academic credit is available for all experiences, through our School of Record partnerships with University of Montana (1-5 credits) and Warren Wilson College (6-16 credits). Check in with your academic advisor to understand if you can apply these transfer credits toward your degree at your home institution.

We offer flexible booking and free changes so you can register with confidence.
 
Apply for free: Complete an online application form via the Intern Abroad HQ website.

• Select your start date and duration: All Intern Abroad HQ programs are available year-round and you can choose to intern for durations on this program ranging from 12 to 24 weeks.
• Complete your registration: After you have been accepted on your chosen program, you can secure your place by paying the Deposit.
• Pay your Balance: This is due 60 days before your program starts.

Need to make changes to your booking? You can make free unlimited changes to your destination, project and dates up until 60 days before you start.