The internship period is for eight weeks with a flexible starting date between November 2024 and February 2025. The internship will take place in Hong Kong.
An HKIAC internship is a practical educational experience. Interns will principally assist the Secretariat in discharging its day-to-day duties.
The purpose of the HKIAC internship programme is to challenge interns intellectually, to give them a sense of what arbitration and alternative dispute resolution are in practical terms and to better equip them for the next stages in their careers.
The purpose of the Foundation's internship programme is to provide New Zealand tertiary students with an experience of working in a business environment in Asia in order to gain a better understanding of the people, places and culture of the host country.
The 2024 application round has closed.
Information on the 2025 application round will be made available mid-2025.
About HKIAC
The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) is one of the world's leading dispute resolution institutions, specialising in arbitration, mediation, adjudication, and domain name disputes resolution.
More information about HKIAC can be found by visiting the company's website.
What the intern will do
Under supervision, interns will be assigned tasks and projects that, to the extent possible, are relevant to their educational background and interests and provide the opportunity to put into practice and further develop their theoretical knowledge.
Interns may be asked to:
- undertake research on various topics in international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution
- assist with the case-management team in administering arbitration, mediation, adjudication and domain name cases
- draft articles and prepare materials
- attend and assist with planning hearings, meetings, seminars and conferences
- compile case statistics
- translate documents.
Where appropriate, HKIAC encourages its interns to exercise initiative and engage in independent thinking.
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- New Zealand citizens or have New Zealand permanent resident status
- due to complete at least two years of tertiary study majoring in law at a New Zealand university by November 2024 or practising at a law firm in New Zealand when they apply
- in good health
- able to demonstrate an interest in a career in international dispute resolution .
Who we're looking for
The successful candidate will:
- be highly motivated and able to work well in an international and multicultural environment
- have excellent academic qualifications
- hold an undergraduate degree or be in the final stages of their studies
- be able to demonstrate good communication and drafting skills
- be fluent in written and spoken English (fluency in other languages is an advantage)
- have excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
- have excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in a team setting and autonomously
- have a pro-active, highly responsible and problem-solving attitude to work
- have a good standard of computer literacy (especially Microsoft Office applications)
- be available to work on a full-time basis for the period of the internship.
What's covered
The Foundation will cover:
- return airfares
- accommodation costs
- most living costs.
HKIAC will pay intern the minimum wage according to the Hong Kong minimum wage ordinance.
The intern is required to contribute $500NZD toward daily living costs during the internship and take out appropriate travel insurance (subsidised by the Foundation).
Management of the programme
The Asia New Zealand Foundation and HKIAC will jointly deliver pastoral care and support professional development in cultural competency.
Terms and conditions
Interns are expected participate in Foundation professional development activities and networking events after they return and seek opportunities to share their internship experience. Sharing your experience with others is an important part of this initiative as it enlightens others about the Foundation, the internship programme and developments in Asia.
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 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) and write a final three-page report evaluating the internship experience at the end of the programme.
How to apply
The 2024 application round has closed.
Information on the 2025 application round will be made available mid-2025.
Key dates
- Applications closed
- Shortlisted applicants will be notified by early July
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an in-person or online panel interview to select the successful candidate
- The successful candidate will be advised in late July
- All selected interns will be supported to attend a group induction day in Auckland in late November 2024.
- The internship period is for eight weeks with a flexible starting date between November 2024 – February 2025.
Questions
If you have a question about the internships, please first check our 'What you need to know' page.
If your question is not answered there, email the Foundation’s project officer (internships) Joyce Bonde: jbonde@asianz.org.nz.