Graduate and summer intern recruitment

On this page

• What graduates can expect
• What we offer
• Who we look for and when
• Our graduate success stories
• Current positions
• More information

The NZTA’s commitment to professional development has been acknowledged through our accreditation as a Professional Development Partner (PDP) with the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand (IPENZ). We are committed to the development of the next generation of New Zealand’s professional leaders in the land transport sector.

What graduates can expect

Our graduate programme takes place across New Zealand and is tailored to support your needs and to provide you with opportunities to develop your technical, behavioural and leadership competency.

You’ll rotate through disciplines relevant to your professional interest in order to broaden your experience and knowledge both within the NZTA and externally. This may include working with our supplier organisations or local councils. Our goal is to make sure you are ready to become a ‘Professional Member’ of your chosen industry at the end of your time in the graduate programme – and ensure you are the most sought after professionals in New Zealand.

What we offer

In return for your energy, passion, commitment, participation and enthusiasm, we will:

• provide ongoing development to help you develop in your professional career
• develop your technical, behavioural and leadership competencies
• provide mentoring and coaching throughout the programme
• help you work towards professional registration in your field
• provide a dynamic and challenging work experience, and
• once you have gained sufficient experience and development we will support you in applying for available positions in your specialist field

Who we look for and when

Every year, usually between May and August we invite graduates and students to apply to join the NZTA graduate development and summer intern programmes. We are looking for graduates and students that embody the following qualities:

• self-motivated with real 'get up and go' and good interpersonal skills
• committed to doing the best possible job
• passionate about what you do
• excellent, confident communicators with people at all levels and different cultures
• able to work flexibly, while coping with different work demands and timeframes
• keen to be part of a winning team.

Our graduate success stories

Hear directly from some of our graduates about their experience in coming to work for us.

Craig Redmond, BEM, M Appl Sc, Lincoln University, Graduate Environmental Planner

'The NZTA has provided me with a number of opportunities to gain real-world planning experience ranging from land-use planning, a secondment to Scotland to develop climate change policy and most recently being a member of the environmental planning team. They’ve also supported me in completing my environmental auditing training and to become a member of the EIANZ.'

Trevor Wong, Bachelor of Information Technology, Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Spatial Data graduate

'To match my passion for technology in computing, I’m fortunate to be involved with the NZTA’s cutting-edge spatial technology. I have access to in-house resources that serve different types of aerial/satellite imagery and vector data layers to represent a visual map that is business focused and interactive. This has helped me increase my reservoir of spatial awareness and knowledge by learning a variety of new skills catering for different types of business needs.'

Carol Ma, BE Hons (University of Canterbury), Graduate Engineer

'What I really love about my work is that it's always different and interesting. I also enjoy the regular catch-up meetings with other graduates from different offices. I've been given plenty of opportunities and support for continued professional development and participation in IPENZ activities. I've also had the chance to work in different areas and on a variety of projects - from economic analysis to traffic monitoring to running the tender for a pavement performance modelling contract to working as a site engineer on the Newmarket Viaduct Replacement Project.'

Akshay Thaker, BE Hons (University of Auckland), Graduate Engineer

'The NZTA has provided me with plenty of support and guidance to continue developing professionally by way of relevant courses, workshops and mentorship. Having been able to rotate around different parts of the business within the NZTA means I've gained valuable first-hand experience in project management, asset management and risk management. I've also been looking after various projects ranging from minor Improvements to large scale roading projects. The most rewarding part of working here is having the responsibility and the ability to make decisions that make a difference for the better.'

The NZTA Graduate Development and Summer Intern Programme is looking for graduates in the following professional fields

Engineering

The NZTA is a leading client organisation and has responsibility for ensuring the highway network is operated safely and efficiently. We also maintain and improve the network as well as plan and develop new highways. We work collaboratively with a wide range of contractors and consultants in order to achieve our outcomes. We are looking for graduate engineers with a passion for transportation coupled with excellent interpersonal, leadership and management skills.

Planning

The NZTA promotes the integration of land use and transport planning across New Zealand. We work closely with local councils on regional growth strategies, regional policy statements, long term council community plans, district plans and land use planning. We also work with approved organisations to invest in their delivery of transport outcomes. We are looking for planning graduates with a passion for transport coupled with excellent interpersonal, leadership and management skills.

Investment

The NZTA promotes the integration of land use and transport planning across New Zealand. We play a key role around planning and investing in transport system outcomes, providing sound investment and strategic advice to local authorities and approved organisations and ensuring the long term sustainability of the transport system. We are looking for graduates with an investment, economic or accounting background combined with a passion for transport. You must also have excellent interpersonal, leadership and management skills.