Emerging Professionals Programme - Civil Engineering Stream

• Graduate Programme at NZTA | Waka Kotahi  

• Permanent  Civil Engineering roles based in Pōneke | Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland starting February 2027. 

• Starting salary $69,606 

Join our Te Reanga Pito Mata | Emerging Professionals Programme and launch your career with a pathway designed to challenge, grow, and inspire you. From day one, you’ll rotate across teams, gaining broad experience and meaningful opportunities to contribute to improving the transport network and systems that keep our country moving. Be part of our customer promise – a land transport system that connects people, products, and places for a thriving Aotearoa. 

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity – Civil Engineering
Our Te Toki – Transport Services group aims to deliver great outcomes now and make the future a better place​​. We aspire to be the kaitiaki of the transport system – with partners, for people, for our land, and for the future.  We manage approximately 11,000km’s of state highway network across New Zealand which includes a variety of infrastructure including pavement, drainage, structural, geotechnical, and other corridor related assets.    

Engineering   

In this stream you will have the opportunity to work across a broad range of engineering business units which may include Portfolio & Standards, Maintenance & Operations and/or System Design to ensure that work meets NZTA standards and specifications.    

To view a copy of the position description click here.   

Ko koe tēnei | About you   

• You are working towards, or already hold, a bachelor's degree or higher in one of the following areas: Civil Engineering.

You will also: 

• Have graduated within the past two years, obtaining your highest qualification by February 2027. 

• Hold a minimum B grade average in your completed or current degree. 

• Have knowledge of, or a willingness to develop an understanding of, te Tiriti o Waitangi and its relevance within the public sector. 

Diversity helps us innovate, grow, and deliver for all communities. We value knowledge of Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti, and Tikanga Māori, and we are committed to embedding diversity and inclusion into everything we do. 

He aha ngā huanga mōku | What are the benefits for you?    

Joining the Te Reanga Pito Mata | Emerging Professionals Programme is more than the first step in your career — it’s becoming part of a whānau | family committed to your learning, growth, and wellbeing. 

Here’s what you can look forward to: 

• A 2‑year development journey with a minimum of three work rotations shaped around your studies and aspirations. You’ll be embedded in teams across NZTA | Waka Kotahi, with the Programme as your home base—providing guidance, development opportunities, and support throughout your experience. 

• A strong support network that helps you build meaningful connections and unlock your full potential. 

• A comprehensive wellbeing package, including five weeks’ annual leave and a range of other great benefits designed to help you feel confident to develop your best mahi. 

  Ko wai mātou | About us   
At NZTA | Waka Kotahi, everything begins with our people. Our success depends on those who choose to make this a great place to work and contribute to a better future for Aotearoa. We are future‑focused, recognising that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system of today won’t be the one we deliver in ten years’ time. 

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, submit your CV along with your cover letter detailing your suitability.   

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

For further information, email: careers@nzta.govt.nz

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.