Discover Untapped Talent for Your Organisation
The National Internship Programme connects your business with talented tertiary students and recent graduates with disabilities, health conditions, or neurodiversity. This fully-funded initiative helps you access diverse talent while providing valuable work experience opportunities.
Why Partner With Us?
100% Funded Internships
- When you choose to host an intern through the National Internship programme, you don’t have to pay the intern’s wages out of your own budget.
- The intern’s wages are 100% funded by MSD (Ministry of Social Development) for the duration of the placement — no wage cost to your organisation.
- Placements run 4–12 weeks, with no placement fee or hidden costs
Access Diverse Talent
- Connect with qualified candidates studying in fields relevant to your business
- Bring fresh perspectives and innovative thinking to your team
- Expand your talent pipeline with work-ready graduates
Comprehensive Support
- Personalised support throughout the process
- Assistance with workplace adjustments and accommodations, if required
- Regular check-ins to ensure a positive experience for everyone
- Specialised support and communication strategies
Build an Inclusive Workplace
- Demonstrate and celebrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Enhance your employer brand and reputation
- Develop your team’s culture and capability to work with diverse colleagues
Who are the interns?
MIP interns are final-year tertiary students (last two years of study) or recent graduates (within 12 months of completing). They have a physical or sensory impairment, health condition, or are neurodiverse, and come from a wide range of disciplines including accounting and finance, business, commerce, economics, engineering, arts, humanities, IT and information systems, law, and science. All candidates are assessed and prepared by the Propel team before referral.
Employer Obligations
As the host employer, you are responsible for standard employment obligations for the duration of the placement: KiwiSaver, PAYE, ACC levies, and holiday pay. Propel handles all MSD application documentation and programme compliance.
How It Works
Brief us
Tell us the role, team context, and who will supervise the intern.
Interview
Use your standard recruitment process — we’ll match a suitable candidate.
MSD application
Propel handles all documentation and approval.
Intern starts
Propel support continues throughout the placement.
Wrap-up
Brief completion report — and the option to hire permanently if it’s a great fit.
The value MIP interns bring
Enhanced innovation and problem-solving
Disabled and neurodiverse individuals navigate a world built for others — developing exceptional adaptability, creativity, and resilience. That cognitive diversity brings fresh approaches to complex business challenges.
Improved workplace accessibility and culture
Interns with accessibility requirements provide practical, first-hand feedback on spaces, systems, and policies. Inclusive adjustments often benefit all employees and customers.
Access to an untapped talent pipeline
Disabled university students are a large, highly capable, and underutilised talent pool. MIP gives employers a low-risk, fully supported way to identify and evaluate top candidates before they enter the wider job market.