Tauranga Moana Futures is a joint work programme between TCC, the University of Waikato (UoW) and Priority One, designed to support talented students to study in Tauranga in areas of importance to employers in the region.
The programme focuses on local tertiary students gaining practical experiences in the form of project and team-based work to apply their academic study, growing their local government experience and supporting our local talent pipeline.
The initiatives under Tauranga Moana Futures include:
Scholarships
- Three scholarships have been funded by Tauranga City Council and awarded during 2023-2024. The scholarships have a value of $10,000 per year and include a minimum of one summer internship at TCC in the second year of study.
Work-Integrated Learning (Undergraduate)
- Impact Labs: multi-disciplinary projects where students from different degree backgrounds tackle a sustainability challenge provided by TCC that aligns with one (or more) of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
- Work projects: students work on projects at TCC, applying their theoretical knowledge to current contexts. Students acquire, understand and apply essential professional skills that will prepare them for the future workforce, while allowing them to demonstrate their graduate knowledge.
- Summer research projects: University of Waikato students apply through the University of Waikato website to work on research projects over the summer, usually focused on a single issue or around a particular theme. They are also invited to learn more about the Tauranga City Council through summer student induction and to present their research during the annual summer student showcase. Check out the research projects advertised around September each year on the University of Waikato website
- Internships: Students apply for an internship role with Tauranga City Council, choosing from a range of opportunities across the organisation. Applications open between August and September via the Council website and Seek. Summer Interns are employed for a fixed term from November to February. See what past interns have said about their experience.
Tauranga Moana Futures Scholarship recipients
2023 scholarship recipient: Nathan Bailey, Civil Engineering.
Media release - Council scholarship opens doors to opportunities for inaugural recipient
2024 scholarship recipients: Olivia Tilby-Adams, Civil Engineering and Tay Ririnui (Ngāti He and Ngāi Te Rangi) Environmental Engineering.
Media release - Council scholarship supports students' engineering aspirations
What are we trying to achieve through Tauranga Moana Futures?
Tauranga Moana Futures aims to drive positive economic and social outcomes while delivering tangible benefits for TCC ratepayers and local communities. The programme supports the growth of university enrolments in Tauranga, with a particular focus on academic disciplines that align with our priorities as an employer.
Through the programme, we strive to create a skilled and diverse talent pool that can contribute effectively to our city's growth and development.
I’m a University of Waikato student, how can I register for a Work-Integrated Learning opportunity?
Send an email to careers@tauranga.govt.nz
Please ensure you include “UoW student Work-Integrated Learning” in the subject line. Attach an up-to-date CV that includes your current qualification and confirm that we can communicate with the University of Waikato to see if any opportunities fit with your academic schedule.
We will communicate with the University and our internal teams and come back to you to advise the outcome in due course.