Summer Student - Check Clean Dry Ambassador

Published: 3 November 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. This Fixed Term placement runs from December 2025 to February 2026 and 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 Check Clean Dry Ambassador Summer Student will help support the Check Clean Dry Campaign which aims to stop the spread of freshwater weeds and pests by changing the behaviour of high-risk freshwater users. The Campaign is a pathway management approach – addressing the risk of human-mediated spread, that is, spread by humans on their boat or gear as they go about their activities in lakes and rivers.

In this role you will:

• Undertake in-person advocacy visiting rivers and lakes across Hawke’s Bay to promote behaviour change
• Visit freshwater user groups and clubs to discuss the importance of Check Clean Dry
• Undertake community outreach and engagement activities aimed at high-risk river and lake users
• Undertake advocacy at freshwater user events

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

We are looking for an enthusiastic student who is well-organised, shows high levels of initiative and has the ability to work independently or with a team when required.  You will have strong communication skills, with the ability to explain information clearly in a friendly and personable manner when talking to a wide range of people.

Requirements for the programme:

• You will have completed or be studying towards a formal qualification in a relevant field.
• Comfortable working on the water and outdoors in various weather conditions. 
• A valid full or restricted driver’s licence is essential.
• 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.

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.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close Friday, 28 November 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.

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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