Live. Learn. Grow.
1 Year Internship (offered in 3-month stages)
Applications must be in by January 31st 2026 for start of Internship April 2026
Are you passionate about creating regenerative systems?
The Kōanga Regenerative Farming for Small Blocks and Home Butchery Internship offers a rare chance to live, learn, and work at the heart of New Zealand’s longest-standing regenerative education centre.
The internship runs for up to 1 year, but is structured in 3-month blocks, allowing time to reflect, check in, and renew the commitment if it’s a good fit for both sides. Shorter 3-month internships may also be considered.
What You’ll Learn
You’ll be immersed in hands-on learning in a real working farm and butchery supporting Kōanga staff with milk and meat
You will be learning
- to milk a small herd of Dexter/Jersey cows, operate electric fencing and build permanent fences
- To raise quiet calves as replacements or for sale
- To shift cows according to management Intensive Grazing practices
- Work with sheep, pigs, poultry, goats and cows
- Choose appropriate breeds of cows. Sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry for your own conditions
- How to manage these animals in regenerative ways
- How to butcher and use all parts of each animal for home use
- How to make Small Goods such as salami, sausages etc
What You’ll Receive
- Daily experiential learning on a functioning farm and in a functioning butchery
- A private cabin onsite for immersive living (with shared kitchen and ablutions)
- Access to Kōanga online courses
- Support with a self-directed project
This is a fully immersive experience: learning, living and growing with the Kōanga team in a holistic regenerative living environment.
What We Ask in Return
- Commitment to a 3-month block minimum, ideally extending to 1 year
- 6 hours/day, 5 days/week working in the nursery and forest garden
- Participation in shared meals, cooking, and cleaning
- A values-based agreement reflecting care, initiative and mutual respect
- Willingness to follow seasonal rhythms and work both independently and collaboratively
Why Now?
This is the final year we’re offering these internships for free. Starting in 2026, we move to a paid model. If you’re serious about living regeneratively this is your chance to step into it, with full support and no financial barrier.
How to Apply
We’re looking for people with heart and commitment. Just 1–2 places available. If you think that you may be the person that we are looking for, please click the apply button above.