Applications for 2027 Earn-as-you-learn addiction practice internships now open

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is funding a dapaanz coordinated internship pathway to help grow a sustainable addiction workforce

The November 2025 refreshed and updated edition of Aronui is now available. Scroll to the bottom of this page to find out more.

The Intern Addiction Practitioner programme supports better access to training for priority regions, and applications* are particularly encouraged from peer or support workers seeking to transition to practitioner roles, and kaimahi within Kaupapa Māori and culturally diverse workforce pathways.

For the 2027 internships, applications are invited from students preparing to enter the final year of study, leading to provisional registration with dapaanz, and who are based in the identified regions.

A paid and well-supported pathway to addiction clinical practice

The programme aims to support transition into practice from a variety of entry pathways.

The internship pathway offers:

  • paid employment in an intern addiction practitioner role (at minimum, the living wage, based on 12-months FTE)
  • funded training for a dapaanz-recognised qualification
  • paid study leave for block courses and assessments
  • supervised practice
  • mentoring and structured learning supports.

Up to eight internships are available per annum.

*Applicants eligible for Skills Matter funding (administered by Te Pou) are not eligible for this programme.

2027 internships are available in the following locations:

Entry requirements

  • A relevant NZQA Level 4 qualification, at minimum
  • Ability to meet the entry criteria of dapaanz-recognised training that leads to, at minimum, a Level 7 qualification, and provisional practitioner registration – see Registration Criteria & Qualifications – Addiction Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Commitment to completing a qualification, to attain provisional registration within 12 – 24 months of commencing the internship
  • Commitment to the addiction sector
  • Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
  • Responsiveness to equity needs within the region of application
  • New Zealand or Australian citizenship, or Permanent Resident status

Next steps

Applications for 2027 internships are now open. Prospective interns are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed as they are received.

To apply, send the following to connect@dapaanz.org.nz:

  • Cover letter – include the area(s) you are applying for
  • CV
  • Evidence of NZ citizenship or permanent residency (e.g. photo or scan of a birth certificate, passport, citizenship certificate or resident visa form)
  • Evidence of qualifications (e.g. academic transcript if applicable)
  • Any disclosures
  • Your proposed programme of study

Please get in touch if you know a suitable candidate for an internship in one of the designated regions.

We are also interested in hearing from service providers who may be interested in employing a paid intern or providing placement opportunities.