Media
internships


The Asia New Zealand Foundation supports New Zealand journalism student graduates and working journalists to intern at news organisations in Asia.

About Media internships

The internships range from six weeks to three months in length. Most internships will be between November and June but you can negotiate the timing with the host media organisation. 

Information on the next application round will be made mid-2024

Jakarta Globe intern Charlotte Greenfield describes her time in Jakarta and what she took away from the experience

Eligibility

To be eligible to undertake a media internship, you must be:

  •  enrolled in a current journalism course or be a graduate journalist who has undertaken and passed a journalism course OR be able to demonstrate a competent track record in journalism.
  •  a New Zealand passport holder or permanent resident based in New Zealand. 

 Internships are usually awarded to early-career journalists with less than five years experience.

Where can you intern?

Deccan Herald (India) 

The Deccan Herald is a leading English-language daily newspaper based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Interns are usually expected to write news for the newspaper’s metro desk.

The Herald runs a modern newsroom in a bustling and interesting Indian city, which is the largest metropolis in southern India. The newspaper has hosted a number of Kiwi interns in the past.    

The Philippine Star  (The Philippines) 

The Philippine Star is an influential daily English-language broadsheet, based in Philippines capital Manila. Interns are required to carry out news writing and sub-editing. 

The Bangkok Post (Thailand)

The Bangkok Post is Thailand’s oldest national newspaper and is read widely throughout Asia. Interns write for the news, sport, business and lifestyle sections of the paper, and are involved in copy and digital news editing.

All staff reporters are Thai; however, interns do not need Thai language skills, but should have some knowledge of Thai society and customs.    

Thai PBS TV (Thailand)

Thai PBS is the non-commercial public broadcaster in Thailand, running a number of  TV channels, including an English-language channel and an online English news website. Thai PBS is based in the capital, Bangkok. 

Interns will work with the Thai PBS World team in news reporting, interviews, article writing, and presentation of news content. The broadcaster will provide any additional training if required.

Interns will also be given access to government agencies, academic organisations, mass media, and private sector entities to develop an understanding of different aspects of Thailand's governance.

What's covered

The Asia New Zealand Foundation will provide funding to cover economy class return flights and appropriate accommodation, travel insurance and some living expenses. The exact grant value is dependent on the length and location of the internship.

Interns are expected to contribute about $500 towards living expenses. 

Interns responsibilities 

Participants will generally be responsible for arranging their flights, travel insurance, accommodation during the internships, using the grant funds provided. 

Note: The internships are unpaid. 

Terms and conditions and reporting requirements

Sharing your experience is an important part of this initiative as it enlightens others about developments in Asia and demonstrates the work of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Successful applicants will be required to agree to the standard Terms and Conditions for Asia New Zealand Foundation funding recipients 

Reporting requirements 

Foundation interns are expected to seek opportunities to share their experience on their return to New Zealand, and to remain engaged with the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Sharing your experience with others is an important part of this initiative as it enlightens others about developments in Asia. 

Interns are expected to write a 600-word article (with accompanying photos) on their internship that will appear on the Foundation’s website (to be submitted during the internship or within 2 weeks of returning) and write a final three-page report evaluating the internship experience at the end of the programme.

 

 

Selection process

Candidates will be shortlisted by a panel consisting of Foundation staff and external media experts. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by Zoom.
 
The host media organisation in Asia may wish to conduct an additional interview. 

 

How to apply

The 2023 internship round has closed. Information on the next round will be made mid-2024.

 

Questions

If you have any questions about the internships or application process, please contact Asia Media Centre manager Graeme Acton: gacton@asianz.org.nz