Stanford intern initiative to support sustainability in New Zealand businesses

Seven New Zealand businesses have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability by offering to provide internship opportunities for students from the prestigious Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

Professor Jacqueline Beggs, co-director of Ngā Ara Whetū, the Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society says, “We are delighted to host these Stanford University students in New Zealand – this opportunity fosters diverse ideas and innovative approaches to make a real difference to global challenges in sustainability.”

Professor Beggs acknowledges the vital contribution of Tim Brown, former professional footballer and co-founder of sustainable global footwear company Allbirds and Anthony Mosse, investment director, North America, for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Both New Zealanders have built a good relationship with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. In a late 2023 meeting, Dean Arun Majumdar floated the idea and since then, Brown and Mosse have worked to turn the idea into reality.

Dr Jennifer Saltzman, Assistant Dean for Professional Development and Community Building at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability says, “Our students are very excited about the opportunity to contribute to sustainability in a professional setting and to learn from their experiences in New Zealand. Tim Brown’s support made international internships possible this year. We are grateful for the collaboration with the University of Auckland and the companies involved".

Seven local businesses have agreed to host Stanford students in paid intern roles from June 2025. They range from Auckland FC, which is keen to incorporate sustainability into a new professional football club, to Ternary, an energy supply chain business.

Professor Beggs says, “When they are here, the students will also spend time with Ngā Ara Whetū to support their experience and knowledge of sustainability in Aotearoa and Te Ao Māori. Our aim is to foster an enduring relationship between the students, our university and Aotearoa.”

From his base in the United States, Tim Brown says he is pleased to help.

“There is enormous potential for the exchange of ideas between California and Aotearoa, so the agreement between the University of Auckland Ngā Ara Whetū - Centre for Climate, Biodiversity & Society and Stanford's new Doerr School of Sustainability is a natural extension of that. This is the start of what I know can become a broader opportunity for partnership,” says Brown.

Anthony Mosse, New Zealand’s Honorary Consul for San Francisco, says universities and academic institutions have a vital role in efforts to achieve sustainability.

“Organisations such as non-profit, for-profit and even many governments have particular constraints associated with time-to-market, while universities with research capabilities can take a longer view to solving difficult and important problems.

“The opportunity to kick-start significant, long-term, bilateral research between global experts on sustainability, climate and indigenous peoples using an undergraduate internship programme as a start is very special and hopefully will have a lasting impact. That can’t happen without the support and commitment of renowned research and academic institutions such as Stanford and the University of Auckland,” says Mosse.

Brown says Aotearoa has a unique opportunity to lead the global transition to a sustainable economy.

“The students will be exposed to some of this unique leadership potential, while also understanding the power of our Māori culture and heritage to guide us towards more thoughtful environmental stewardship," says Brown.

The businesses hosting Stanford interns are:

• Auckland FC
• Tracksuit
• Ternary
• Halter
• Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
• Vector
• Mushroom Material