An internship with Auckland Council has taught a Tongan law student from Waikato University the importance of building relationship in an organisation.

Ana Tupou, 28, was placed with the Council as part of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation’s summer internship programme.

She has been interning at Auckland Council as part of a team working on legal compliance.

Tupou told the PCF Newsletter the internship had given her more than what she originally expected.

“This internship has definitely prepared me for getting into the workplace.”

When Tupou completes her studies next year, she hopes to return to Tonga, and implement some of the innovative systems and processes she has learnt during her placement.

Having witnessed how Auckland Council interacts with its staff, the law student is determined to take what she has learnt back to Tonga.

“From day one I felt like a part of the team and with that came responsibilities,” Tupou said.”

“The leadership skills and team work is almost unbelievable.

“I’ve seen how much relationship building and transparency is crucial in the organisation,” she adds.

Ana recommends future interns and student peers to make the most of opportunities such as the one provided through PCF’s Summer Internship.

“What you put into the internship is what you get out of it,” she said.

The main points

  • An internship with Auckland Council has taught a Tongan law student from Waikato University the importance of building relationship in an organisation.
  • Ana Tupou, 28, was placed with the Council as part of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation’s summer internship programme.
  • She has been interning at Auckland Council as part of a team working on legal compliance.
  • “This internship has definitely prepared me for getting into the workplace,” she said.

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A Lawyer in the Making

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