Being an MBIE intern for the summer offered Tongan-born Siosaia Matalele a valuable opportunity to develop and test his policy skills and gain some practical experience in the social development space.
The Tupu Tai Pasifika Summer Internship Programme ran for the first time in 2015, and was created in partnership with our Centre for Pacific Studies.
Saia, who is studying for a Master of Arts in Pacific Studies and a Bachelor of Laws, was attracted to the four month internship because “MBIE plays a big part on the policy world”.
“I’ve always been interested in policy and how it affects people’s lives and this was an opportunity to learn and develop my career pathway while gaining some useful work experience. I was attracted to the MBIE internship because the organisation embraces diversity and offered me the chance to gain experience in different sectors.”
Saia worked with the Auckland Co-Design Lab on a project called the Attitude Gap Challenge looking at youth unemployment in South Auckland. “At the moment we are at the exploration stage – what we already know, what is already in place and will move on to what is needed and what actions could be implemented that would make a real difference."
“It was an exciting project to work on and I learned a lot and networked with some people that may have an influence on my employment when I graduate at the end of the year.”
When he’s not working Siosaia enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling and exercising regularly.
Find out more about the Tupu Tai Pasifika Summer Internship Programme
