Participating Agencies
GovTechTalent Graduate Programme
At a glance:
- 18-month graduate programme with two 9-month cross-agency rotations
- DIA handles recruitment, placement, and support
- Agencies gain skilled, motivated graduates and join a network growing digital capability across government
- Next cohort begins March 2026
Grow your digital capability — one graduate at a time
The GovTechTalent Graduate Programme helps agencies build the digital capability government needs.
Led by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) on behalf of the Government Chief Digital Officer, it connects agencies with talented, motivated graduates who are passionate about making a difference for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Since 2017, more than 150 graduates have completed the programme — and around 80% have stayed in the public service long term.
How it works
Accessing top graduate talent has never been easier.
The GovTech Talent team runs a nationwide campaign to attract smart, curious, and digitally focused graduates who are ready to help shape the future of digital government.
We take care of:
- National graduate attraction and marketing
- Recruitment, testing, background checks and candidate communication
- Matching graduates to placements in your digital or technical teams
- Managing secondment agreements, induction, and onboarding
You take part in:
The assessment centre — panel interviews and group exercises where agencies help shape which graduates are selected for the programme.
Once placements are confirmed, graduates begin their journey in March 2026.
About the programme
Graduates are employed by DIA for 18 months and complete two nine-month rotations across participating agencies.
This rotation model gives graduates broad experience and helps share tools, ideas, and capability across government.
Why rotations work:
Graduates bring new insights and lessons from their first placement, creating a continuous cycle of learning and improvement.
Each agency is supported by the GovTechTalent team and a network of agency leads who meet regularly to share best practices and strengthen the programme together.
About the graduates
Our graduates are:
- Digitally minded and eager to learn
- Highly vetted and motivated to contribute to Aotearoa
- Diverse in background and perspective, bringing fresh ways of thinking
They apply their skills to digital transformation, data, design, and technology projects across government.
Recruitment begins in November 2025, with graduates starting in March 2026.
Benefits to participating agencies
The GovTechTalent programme helps agencies attract, develop, and retain early-career digital professionals.
What you gain:
- Access to top early-career digital talent
- Graduates who bring energy, curiosity, and adaptability
- Fresh insights and approaches from other agencies through cross-rotation learning
- All recruitment and administration handled by the GovTech Talent team
The impact:
- Agencies see immediate results as graduates lift capability, spark new thinking, and strengthen collaboration across projects and teams.
By taking part, you become part of a connected network building a more digitally confident public service for New Zealand.
Keen to learn more?
Programme Lead: Nancy Ford — nancy.ford@dia.govt.nz | +64 27 220 9607
govtechtalent@dia.govt.nz
