Regeneration Through Education
8 Month 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 Gardening 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 8 months, but is structured in approximately 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 real working food and seed production gardens and your work will include
- Garden Planning
- Compost making using local inputs only
- Making other liquid and solid fertilisers used with on farm and local inputs
- Bed preparation,
- Seedling production and management
- Vege management and harvesting
- Seed harvesting and processing
- And much much more!!
Nursery and Forest Garden potential learning outside of the Seed and Food Production Gardens if you are keen):
- Heritage fruit tree propagation by seed, cuttings and grafting
- Seed collection, tree health & forest garden management including Syntropic principles
- Regenerative practices for long-term fertility
- Forest garden design, planting & maintenance
- Working independently after training
- Nursery systems and seasonal rhythms
What You’ll Receive
- Daily experiential learning in functioning kai and seed gardens
- A private cabin onsite for immersive living (with shared kitchen and ablutions)
- Access to Kōanga online courses relevant to your learning focus
- The Kōanga Gardening Masterclass (if you are here when it runs)
- 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 you get out will largely be dependent on what you put in. The potential is huge
What We Ask in Return
- Commitment to a 3-month block minimum, ideally extending to 8-9 months
- 6 hours/day, 5 days/week working in the gardens
- 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
What Past Interns Say
“It’s so inspiring to be part of it — I’m incredibly grateful to be in the seed internship and have the opportunity to learn and grow with some seriously talented individuals.”
— Sophiemarie Bethell
“Little did I know I would be getting so much more. From nutrition to alternative tech, seed saving and animal care — I’ll be leaving well-equipped and grateful.”
— Alistair McKay
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 you would be a good fit we would love to hear from you. Click the button above.