Rangatahi reap rewards of new internships

Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa (Te Kotahitanga) launched its inaugural internship programme Te Rauhī Hiringa in November, welcoming six talented Te Atiawa uri into a variety of workstreams.

The new programme is designed to help uri build connection to Te Atiawa and supports them to gain experience, skills and knowledge in their areas of interest.

The first six Te Rauhī Hiringa interns were Tere Porter-Rawiri (Te Atiawa), Ethan Matuku (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga), Lucas Larraman (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga), Shianne Klenner (Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Mutunga), Naomi Butler (Te Atiawa) and Aisha Campbell (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Taranaki).

Their 12-week summer internships, in partnership with Taranaki Mounga, paired each rangatahi with a range of projects under the mantle of Te Kotahitanga, Taranaki Mounga, the Department of Conservation, Wildlife.ai and He Mounga Puia.

Second-year AUT Bachelor of Communications student Aisha Campbell was quick to understand the opportunity.

I was heading home from uni over the summer break and I thought working for my iwi would be great mahi and a really cool experience.”

The 19-year-old journalism major (minoring in Māori development) says she loved how Te Kotahitanga matched her interests and career aspirations with iwi work.

“Te Kotahitanga wanted to know what my interests were and how they could tailor an internship to me, rather than me having to fit any specific criteria. They just wanted to give uri opportunity and that’s exactly what this internship provided.

“During my time with Te Kotahitanga, I worked closely alongside my fellow intern Ethan Matuku on media projects. We interviewed people, did some writing and shot lots of short videos creating content for iwi social media.

“There were other kaupapa, too, such as organising promos and giveaways and helping to organise events.”

Aisha said she could sum up her internship in a single word: rewarding.

“I just feel very fortunate I got to meet so many important and motivated, dedicated, passionate people who really care about our people. That was really fulfilling to be around.

“Not only that, they were whanaunga as well. That adds another aspect that enriched the internship and the entire experience.”