NZUS Council
The NZUS Council’s Congressional Internship Programme provides New Zealand students with a unique opportunity to work in the offices of Members of the United States Congress. The programme builds understanding of the US political system, deepens New Zealand–US links, and develops future leaders with first-hand experience in Washington DC.
The programme was successfully relaunched in 2023 following the COVID-19 hiatus, with four interns, Emily Speirs, Rā Neilsford-Jones, Helen Lam and Gray Ryburn, taking up placements on Capitol Hill. Their reflections highlighted the immense value of the programme, from gaining insights into the workings of Congress to building lasting connections.
You can read more about their experiences in these reflections from Emily Speirs, Rā Neilsford-Jones, Helen Lam, and Gray Ryburn.
In 2024, another group of students, Benjamin Christy, Isellah Gordon, Jessica Wratt and Silas Zhang, travelled to Washington DC to take part in the internship. Their placements in congressional offices offered the chance to contribute to legislative work, observe US policymaking first-hand, and experience the fast-paced environment of Capitol Hill. Ahead of their departure, the Council profiled the 2024 interns preparing to head to Washington DC. A debrief event in early 2025, hosted by the Council at the University of Auckland, brought the interns together to share their insights with members and partners.
Looking ahead, the Council is preparing the next cohort of interns who will depart later in 2025. For the first time, the number of participants will increase from four to five, reflecting the programme’s growth and the increasing interest from students to participate in the programme.
Since its establishment, the internship has supported more than 40 New Zealand students to experience life and work in the US Congress, thanks to the support of our partners at the University of Canterbury Law School, the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, the New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC, and Air New Zealand. Previous cohorts, including the 2019/20 interns, have gone on to make significant contributions in law, policy, and international relations, demonstrating the long-term impact of this initiative.
The internship continues to be one of the Council’s flagship programmes, showcasing the importance of people-to-people links in strengthening the New Zealand–US relationship.
