NZ China Council experience equips intern with skills for a lifetime

Emilia: "My time at the New Zealand China Council was an enriching eight weeks, equipping me with lifelong knowledge, skills, and connections."

As I approach the end of my time at university, I am eager to apply the skills and knowledge I have gained throughout my studies. While the many overseas internships on offer caught my attention, having just returned from a semester exchange in France, I was looking forward to spending time back home in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

So, when I saw the on-shore internship with the New Zealand China Council advertised it seemed like a perfect fit, especially as it combined two of my key areas of study: Chinese and international business.  

 The New Zealand China Council, Te Kaunihera o Aotearoa me Haina, is a non-partisan, multi-sector organisation focused on strengthening the relationship between New Zealand and China. They work to engage and inform New Zealanders of the multiple facets of this bilateral relationship, many of which I was able to explore during my eight weeks at the Council.  

 My role at the Council had two main focuses, which provided me insights in a wide breadth of the work they do.

Firstly, I was assigned three projects, each giving me a closer look at different aspects of the Council’s work. As someone with a variety of interests, I valued the diversity of these projects, as they introduced me to new facets of the NZ-China relationship, built on my academic background in international business and trade, and allowed me to delve into areas such as sustainability and Te Ao Māori.  

Emilia attended and helped to run the council's annual general meeting

My first project involved researching New Zealand and China’s current two-way investment landscape in preparation for an updated report, for which I helped develop the terms of reference and funding proposal. I also contributed to a report on Te Ao Māori engagement with China, which was released in February 2025.

Working on both of these reports gave me an understanding of the publication process, from initial planning to final revisions, as well as how to commission a report and ensuring that the scope of research is relevant to all stakeholders. As part of this, I got to meet with several experts and form connections with them as we discussed these complex topics.  

My second project was planning a trip to China to look into the country’s renewable energy sector.

Organising delegations and research trips is another important part of the Council’s work, as they foster cross-cultural exchanges, and help New Zealanders access the China market.

This project involved meeting with organisations and sector representatives in New Zealand to learn what would help them better engage with China, and what they would want out of the trip. Taking this information, I then helped to draft an itinerary.   

My final project was to calculate the Council’s carbon footprint and research how they could implement carbon emissions tracking. I tested different tools and produced a report with recommendations based on my findings. 

As well as these specific projects of work, my role was helping to run the Council’s social media. Like many others my age, I’m very comfortable with social media; however, having to tailor content for different platforms and engage specific audiences was an exciting learning opportunity for me.   

I also got a little taste of event planning when I had the opportunity to attend and help run the annual general meeting held in Wellington, a definite highlight of my experience.

While it certainly wasn’t easy to keep everything running smoothly with so many moving parts, I relished the opportunity to interact with Council members and hear from distinguished guests (including several government ministers!).

Emilia: " ...the team’s ongoing guidance, allowed me to work confidently from day one."

One of the most rewarding aspects of this internship was having the chance to contribute ideas and produce my own work. While I always worked closely with the team, being able to take the lead on these projects meant they became something I was personally invested in rather than tasks I was required to complete. 

Having studied Mandarin for eight years, I already had a strong foundation in Chinese language and culture. However, this internship instilled in me the importance of cultural awareness in building partnerships—especially in business contexts.

Seeing firsthand the work the Council does, I gained a deeper appreciation for how New Zealand can engage with China across various sectors and contexts.

While my time at the Council has made me feel more confident in navigating professional environments in Asia, it has also exposed me to how much there is to discover and learn, something which I look forward to doing in the future.  

Furthermore, the internship has reminded me how important language is in building meaningful relationships and bridging cross-cultural gaps. Although I’ve completed my formal Chinese language studies at university, I am now motivated to keep improving my Mandarin independently and plan to take the HSK Level 5 exam later this year.   

Before this internship, I had little experience in a corporate job, so I wasn’t too sure what to expect. However, the supportive, stress-free work environment at the Council, alongside the team’s ongoing guidance, allowed me to work confidently from day one.

The New Zealand China Council was a fantastic, welcoming host organisation, creating an environment where I felt both challenged and valued. I made sure to embrace everything that came my way, and I came away with lifelong knowledge, skills, and connections.

The Foundation's Business Programme supports New Zealand companies to better understand Asia so they can make the most of opportunities in the region. It also supports to grow the next generation of Asia-savvy business leaders.

Our internship programme helps interns build a better understanding of the people, place and culture of their Asian host country, while developing industry-specific skills that will benefit them as they progress in their careers.