Diverse careers for graduates

Last Updated : 21 Oct 2015
Graduates seek diverse council careers: Eru
Eru Nathan – Biosecurity Team graduate

University graduates are tapping into Auckland Council’s diverse working brief, having voted the council their most desired central or local government employer.

With the council’s work touching almost every aspect of Auckland life, you’d be pushed to find an organisation with a more widespread range of responsibility.

Graduates are responding to this mix of career pathways, with the third-year intake of Auckland Council’s graduate programme attracting 1800 applications.

The programme aims to build and sustain high-performing teams, as well as foster future leaders to help shape Auckland.


In the annual Talent Solutions Student Pulse Survey, Auckland Council topped the category of most desired central or local government employer, and came second for best graduate campaign. Almost 1300 students took part in the survey, carried out in association with GradConnection

From February, the 2016 intake of 46 new graduates will start work across 20 departments and will rotate through several specialties, receiving hands-on experience and mentoring.

Applications for the current intake have now closed, but you can find out more about the graduate programme, express your interest and register for council job alerts. Applications for the next graduate intake will open in July 2016

In their own words

Their degrees and interests range from architecture, communications and conservation to psychology, IT and urban planning, but our current graduates share a passion for making a positive impact in their communities and specialist fields.

Odyssey Posimani – Building Control graduate

Graduates seek diverse council careers: Odyssey
Odyssey Posimani – Building Control graduate 


“When I found out about the graduate opportunity in Building Control at Auckland Council I realised this is where I could make a difference.

“There are plenty of interesting interactions with all types of building professionals, as the inspectors rectify mistakes and strive to improve practices. It’s clear that ensuring compliance is no easy job!

“As a fresh Architecture graduate, my limited knowledge of building practices could easily have been part of the problem, but as a Building Control graduate, I’m glad I can now be a part of the solution…”

Eru Nathan – Biosecurity Team graduate

Graduates seek diverse council careers: Eru
Eru Nathan – Biosecurity Team graduate

“My rotation with the Biosecurity Team was exciting and hands-on. I was involved with the fruit fly response, kauri dieback monitoring in the Waitakeres, eradication efforts for Argentine ants and old man’s beard on the Hauraki Gulf islands, weed and pest management on Auckland’s maunga… all that in less than six months!

“Auckland Council provides extra support, accelerated development and networking opportunities to really kick-start my career. Beyond this, it’s a great opportunity to give back to the Auckland community because a healthy environment underpins a high quality of life.”

You can read about more of our graduates’ experiences in their online profiles

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