Over the past three years, the Circular Economy Internship Programme has helped councils across Waikato build capacity, provided students with hands-on experience tackling real waste minimisation challenges, and created a pathway into local government careers for emerging professionals. Nearly all who have completed the programme have continued onto secure roles within local government!
Former Hamilton City Council intern Rebecca Ellis says the programme was transformative. “It was one of the most valuable experiences of my degree. It gave me the opportunity to work on real projects, learn from experienced professionals, and see how sustainability can be put into practice.”
Rebecca says one of her biggest learnings was that the circular economy is far more than recycling. Understanding how products, materials and systems can be designed to prevent waste completely changed the way she thinks about sustainability. The experience also confirmed her desire to work in local government and helped her secure a role as an Environmental Planner at Hastings District Council.
Former Waipā District Council intern Charlotte McQuade-Wright was interested in the programme because it offered practical experience before graduation. “The internship at Waipā District Council gave me valuable insights into local government and how councils operate. It was the perfect steppingstone between university and full-time work.” Charlotte says the experience helped her understand where her Environmental Planning degree could lead and ultimately supported her transition into a graduate role as a Resource Consents Planner at Napier City Council.
Current South Waikato District Council intern Naima Noor is experiencing the benefits firsthand. She describes her internship as “jam packed, invigorating and full of opportunity.” As an Environmental Planning student with a strong interest in sustainability, she saw the role as a chance to turn theory into practice.
Rather than working on a single project, Naima contributes to the delivery of South Waikato District Council’s Waste Minimisation and Management Plan. Recent work has included helping establish garden-to-table programmes in local primary schools, promoting waste minimisation and food resilience.
One of the biggest lessons has been learning how to build relationships with stakeholders and community groups. Naima says persistence has been essential when engaging with new groups and creating meaningful partnerships. She is especially proud of helping connect community members with council staff to solve local issues and strengthen trust between communities and council.
Reflecting on the internship Naima says “Working within a council environment has been a really positive experience. Everyone I’ve met cares about their communities and wants to make a difference, which is really inspiring.”
The experiences of Rebecca, Charlotte and Naima demonstrate how the programme benefits both students and councils. Interns gain professional skills, confidence and career opportunities, while councils benefit from fresh perspectives, additional capacity and support to advance waste minimisation and circular economy initiatives.
For workplaces considering whether to invest in an internship programme, the experience in the Waikato shows the benefits can extend well beyond a single project. Interns bring enthusiasm, broader insights and enhanced delivery, and councils play a direct role in developing the skilled workforce needed to address future environmental and community challenges.
Want to know how this internship programme came about? Read Balancing creativity and accountability in uncharted territory to discover how the idea first took shape and developed into the initiative it is today.