Water Quality & Ecology - Summer Student

Published: 4 September 2025

Te whakapakari tahi i tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

This summer, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is offering a paid Internship Programme to students who are studying towards a formal qualification that directly relates to the work we do here. There are three Summer Student placements within the Water Quality and Ecology team which will run for up to 20 weeks between October 2025 to April 2026 (don’t worry, we can work the dates around your exams). These Fixed Term placements will provide you with interesting, paid, full-time work as well as career development while you study. This opportunity to work and learn in the field is hugely valuable to your growth as a student.

The Water Quality and Ecology Summer Students will assist the Water Quality and Ecology team with the Recreational Water Quality and Ecosystem Health monitoring programmes. You will be involved in undertaking water quality sampling, monitoring coastal and estuarine ecology, measuring the state and trends of key water quality parameters in our lakes, rivers and estuaries, and undertaking ecosystem health assessments at representative sites to provide a measure of ‘ecological integrity’ and the ability of ecosystems to support and maintain structure and function over time in the face of external stress. You will also assist with special investigations and State of Environment programmes, if and when required.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

We are looking for enthusiastic students who are well-organised, show high levels of initiative and have the ability to work independently or with a team when required. Confidence working in and around waterways is essential, along with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to initiate and build meaningful connections within the community. Strong analytical and technical skills are required, along with problem-solving abilities and proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and other database or information management systems.  An interest in water quality and ecology is an advantage.

Requirements for the programme:

• You will have completed or be studying towards a formal qualification in a relevant field.
• Confident working in and around waterways and undertaking long days of solo driving and fieldwork. 
• A valid driver’s licence is essential and competency driving a 4WD vehicle would be advantageous. 
• Physical fitness is required for all our student roles.

You will need to have current working rights in New Zealand to be considered for these placements.

You will also need to be based in the Hawke’s Bay for the summer period while undertaking the programme so please bear this in mind when applying.

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

The hourly rate for our students is $26.00, plus 8% pay as you go for your annual leave entitlement.

HBRC also has a strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a flexible and supportive working environment. We value diversity and as such we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status although applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand. HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close Friday, 3 October 2025 however we will be shortlisting and interviewing appropriate candidates as applications are received. If you are interested in this position, please do not wait to apply as we may close the ad earlier than advertised.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

To view the job description please visit our website here

Please apply through Seek. If you would like any further information regarding the role, please email hr@hbrc.govt.nz

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse, and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. 

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