About our Graduate Policy Analyst Programme

Every year we recruit a new cohort of Graduate Policy Analysts to join Te Pou Kaupapahere, our Policy community.

As a Graduate Policy Analyst, you’ll be part of an 18-month development programme designed to kick-start your career in policy.

This is a Wellington-based programme and includes two nine-month rotations in different policy teams to give you experience in a variety of policy kaupapa and education subject areas.

The Ministry of Education has an extensive policy community with teams covering areas of education like Pacific Education, Early Childhood, Māori Education, Tertiary, Learning Support, Infrastructure and International to name just a few!


What we offer

Two rotations of policy teams to experience different areas of policy Kaupapa in Te Tāhuhu I The Ministry of Education

  • Formal educational training and opportunities to grow and develop your policy analyst skills
  • Start to your career in public service
  • Opportunities to support improving outcomes for Ākonga (learners), whānau, communities and wider New Zealand
  • The opportunity to progress Policy Analyst as the end of the 18-month programme
  • A permanent role with the Ministry of Education
     

You can find out more information about the Graduate Policy Analyst Programme here.

You can also email GovtPolicyWlg@beyond.co.nz with “Grad Policy” in the subject line


Who we are

Shari 2025 Grad
“My biggest learning so far has been seeing how the policy advice we give can have a real impact on learners, whānau, and communities. It’s helped me appreciate the responsibility that comes with working in policy and the importance of keeping people at the centre of what we do. Another area of learning has been understanding how important it is to be adaptable and open to feedback. Policy work often moves quickly, and being able to take on new information, adjust my approach, and keep improving has been essential to my progress and confidence in the role”

Amma 2025 Grad
“I’ve been interested in the Ministry of Education’s graduate programme since my second year at university! This opportunity represents a supportive and well-structured start to a career within the Ministry of Education and the wider Public Service. The programme offers great support systems where it’s encouraged to ask questions and to give things a go. I think this graduate programme is really special to be part of, and I would encourage anyone to apply!”

Tatiana 2025 Grad
“The graduate program has been such a great opportunity to start my career as a young professional in a supportive but fast paced work environment. Coming from a legal background, I was used to focusing on how the law is applied, as opposed to the creation, so it has been really interesting to see what happens behind the scenes. I learn something everyday! I would encourage anyone looking to start a career in policy to put your name forward”