Tauranga iwi’s internship programme opens doors for young professionals

Katarina Ngatai was a former Ngāi Te Rangi summer intern.

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Carmen Hall is a communications advisor for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust and a former Bay of Plenty Times journalist.

When Katarina Ngatai did a summer internship with a Tauranga iwi, she had no idea the move would change the trajectory of her life and career.

Now she is a manager at Ngāi Te Rangi, running the same programme, overseeing the rangatahi unit focused on empowering disadvantaged young people, responding to Liquor License applications, and managing the tribe’s social media sites.

Other interns have gone on to become accountants, environmentalists, advocates, professionals and academics since the programme was reinvigorated in December 2021.

Initially Ngatai did the internship three years ago to strengthen her connection to her iwi and to gain insights in to some of the dynamics of working for an iwi organisation.

At the time she was working part-time as a teacher’s aid at Te Kura o Te Moutere o Matakana and studying towards a Bachelor of Health Science degree at Massey University.

But the internship intrigued her.

“I always wanted to work at the rūnanga because some of my whānau did over the years. While I was studying in Auckland the only thing that kept me connected was the online kaupapa they shared.

“So that was something that excited me and sparked my interest.”

The internship was not what she expected and came during the thick of Covid.

Ngatai said she did not realise the scope of social services Ngāi Te Rangi offered that covered everything from heath, employment and training to housing, addiction, rangatahi, Te Reo Māori and more.

A lasting memory was being part of a Covid rapid testing drive-through station organised by the iwi outside Whareroa Marae.

“That was quite scary as all the cars came through and we did the testing and offered people reassurance.”

The interns also helped deliver care packs to whānau who had tested positive.

Ngatai said the interns gained valuable experience by spending time in each unit and learnt about the history of the rūnanga, the vision of the iwi as well as its commercial investments.

“They made sure we were placed into areas that contributed to our future career choices and professional development. I really loved the whole experience and it was really awesome.”

Fast forward to today and Ngatai’s enthusiasm has not waned.

There are three new interns at Ngāi Te Rangi. The programme is open to those aged over 16 traditionally runs from November to February.

Kitana Todd-Downs is studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Māori Indigenous Studies and Supply Chain Management. She wanted to work with an organisation “to help our people thrive”.

Māia-Jane Karena said she wanted to enhance her identity and connections to her Tauranga Moana whakapapa. She works at Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust and is studying at Victoria University for a degree in Te Reo Māori and Education.

The wide scope of mahi (work) offered appealed to Marino Magee and the “chance to work for my iwi and people”.

Ngāi Te Rangi deputy chief executive Roimata Ah Sam said the internship programme was important as it provided uri [(descendants) with an opportunity to gain experience while building depth within the iwi.