2017 New Zealand - United States Congressional Internship Programme

BACKGROUND: On the one year anniversary of the devastating Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 the New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, the Rt Hon Mike Moore, and President of the US-NZ Council, Bill Maroni, announced the creation of a New Zealand internship programme with the United States Congress.

The programme received support from members of the US Congress, including the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus who will identify suitable Congressional offices to host the interns. The group was established in February 2005 and works to strengthen economic, political, and social links between the United States and New Zealand.

The United States–New Zealand Council, an independent body dedicated to promoting strong bilateral relations between the United States and New Zealand, has been instrumental in establishing the internship programme. In the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes the Council facilitated the collection and transference of many hundreds of thousands of dollars collected from United States donors for the aid of Christchurch. The Council saw the internship initiative as a great opportunity to establish ongoing and long term benefits for the people of New Zealand and the United States. With this in mind the Council pledged to cover the substantial costs of two interns for the two month internship programme.

As stated by William Maroni, then President of the United States–New Zealand Council, "[t]he United States and New Zealand can learn a great deal from each other. By offering outstanding students … the opportunity to experience first-hand the American legislative process, we can promote greater understanding in both nations."

Throughout the process of establishing the programme, Canterbury University has played an advisory role to the Embassy, Caucus and the Council. Considering the extremely high calibre of students enrolled in Law it was thought appropriate to focus attention on the School of Law for the contribution of two students.

This is an ongoing commitment and was made to reflect the bonds of partnership between each important contributor to the programme. In addition, each intern is required to enrol in LAWS373 Washington Internship for the summer period. Enrolment in this course is a condition of the internship programme.

About the United States-New Zealand Council: The United States-New Zealand Council is the principal US private-sector organization dedicated to promoting the commercial, public policy, and cultural relationship between the United States and New Zealand. Established in 1986, the Council works to strengthen US-NZ relations; provide thought leadership on Asia-Pacific regional topics; and advocate for its members' interests. The Council is a tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue code, Section 501(c) 3. Information on the United States – New Zealand Council can be found on their website at: http://www.usnzcouncil.org

About the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus: The Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus was established in the U.S. House of Representatives in February 2005. More than 50 House Members have joined the Caucus, which is co-chaired by Rep Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Rep Rick Larsen (D-WA).

Information on the Friends of New Zealand can be found on their website at: http://www.usnzcouncil.org/congressional-caucus/

Contact: Prof Ursula Cheer Dean of the School of Law School of Law University of Canterbury Christchurch New Zealand

Tel: +64 3 369 3799 Email: [email protected] FURTHER PARTICULARS

NEW ZEALAND – UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

INTERNSHIP LOCATION US Congress, Washington DC, United States of America

PROPOSED INTERNSHIP DATES 11 November 2017 – 13 January 2018

Students are expected to travel to the United States mid November 2016 and to return early February 2017 (dates to be confirmed). Please note: Interns may be expected to meet with embassy, Council, Caucus or other Congressional staff after arriving in Washington DC before the formal commencement of the internship programme. Also note that internship dates are subject to some variation given the specific nature of each intern’s placement. If dates are to change adequate notice will be given to the affected intern.

Students may wish to travel within the United States upon completion of their internship and are in fact encouraged to do so, but are expected to return to New Zealand following the internship. Return tickets with Air New Zealand will be booked through the University of Canterbury in consultation with each student. There is no requirement that students travel on the same itinerary.

APPLICATION PROCESS The application deadline will be 12.00pm, Monday 7 August 2017. Applications must be submitted via email to Anna Wilson: [email protected]

LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Applicants should complete the ‘Application Form’ and attach a covering letter that addresses the ‘Mandatory Requirements’ of the position. Applicants are to also attach a copy of their full Curriculum Vitae including the name, address and contact details of two referees who can speak about your personal qualities and suitability for the position. There is no need to include an academic referee or provide written references.

Once a longlist of applicants has been made, referees will be contacted by phone. PLEASE ENSURE that before including the name of your referee that they will be available to discuss your application by phone.

Although not determinative in any way, applicants may wish to express a preference for working with a Democratic representative or a Republican representative. This may help identify the most suitable office for placement. Please tick either box or ‘No Preference’ on the Application form.

A final shortlist of four-six applicants will be made by the Dean of Law, Prof Ursula Cheer. The shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by the Dean on Friday 11 August 2017 and must ensure they are available on that day for an interview (time of interview to be advised).

In considering applications Prof Cheer will review each applicant’s University of Canterbury transcript and may discuss each application with other members of the School of Law as she sees fit.

All shortlisted applications will then be sent to the United States for further consideration by the US – NZ Council, the NZ Embassy and members of the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus. Final selection decisions will be made by individual Members of Congress hosting interns. VISA Students MUST have a valid, machine readable passport at the time of traveling with not less than six months validity remaining upon their return.

The University, Council, Congressional offices and the New Zealand Embassy in the United States will work with students to obtain the applicable visas, in partnership with a Washington based visa issuing agency. These fees will be covered as part of the internship, but NZ fees with the US Consulate in Auckland must be covered by applicants.

IT IS A CONDITION OF THIS INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME that students meet the criteria established by the United States Government for travel to the United States. Any issue that may create difficulties for students to obtain entry into the United States must be highlighted within the student’s application to the programme (and NOT merely highlighted after the appointment process has begun). An example of an issue that ought to be disclosed at the time of applying is the existence of criminal convictions.

EXPENSES Each intern will receive:  Return economy class airfares from their nearest airport in NZ to Washington DC.  Accommodation in Washington DC. Accommodation will be at the Ella Smith House provided by Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH) and has been vetted and approved by the NZ Embassy. Applicants should be advised that accommodation will be on a shared basis (one dorm room for the males and one dorm room for the females) so that they can take that into account when deciding whether to apply. Shared rooms is standard practice for US college students.  Visa fees: the Council will reimburse the interns for the cost of the J1 visa application fee and Homeland Security clearance (SEVIS) fee.  IEP Programme fee: We work with International Exchange Programs (NZ) to support the interns through the US visa application process. The cost of IEP’s services are covered by the internship programme.  Comprehensive travel insurance – the internship programme covers the cost of comprehensive travel insurance. The excess is $250 which would need to be covered by the interns in the event of any claim being made. The insurance period will run from the date of departure from NZ to 20 January 2018. In the event that the interns wish to remain in the US for tourism purposes they would need to take out their own insurance after 20 January.  Daily stipend – the internship will provide each intern with a modest daily stipend in the order of US$40-45 (depending on exchange rates). We can confirm this closer to the time.  No extra funding is available for those students with dependants (spouse, partner or child[ren]).

INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT Students will be placed within the United States Congress in areas at the discretion of the Members of Congress. It is likely that students will be placed with individual congressmen or women but in light of the interests of students or their particular skill set placements may be made within specialized committees or other such divisions of Congress.

UNIVERSITY ENROLMENT Enrolment at Canterbury University is a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT of this internship programme. Each intern MUST enrol in LAWS373 Washington Internship (15 points). The appropriate University fee is to be paid by the student for this enrolment.

The Course Supervisor will be advised in due course.

The course will require the completion of the following:  A 5,000 word essay on any aspect of United States and New Zealand bilateral relations. The topic must be approved, in advanced by the Course Supervisor.  A 3,000 word reflective journal.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY Position Description The role of Congressional Intern is a familiar one in the United States and is a common path for United States College students seeking experience in the US political system. Individual job descriptions will be made available from the Congressional offices hosting interns.

Interns meet with New Zealand Embassy staff, the New Zealand Ambassador (the Rt Hon Mike Moore) and to the extent possible, by other groups with an interest in the NZ/US relationship such as the US/NZ Council or Georgetown University’s Center for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Studies It is expected of interns that they make themselves available for all such engagements.

Interns are expected to act as cultural and professional representatives for both New Zealand and the University of Canterbury.

Mandatory Requirements  An ability to act as a cultural and professional representatives for New Zealand and the University of Canterbury.  Excellent communication skills both written and oral, including public speaking and an ability to communicate with people of different standing both socially and professionally – i.e. Congressmen and women, ambassadors, professors, congressional staff, fellow interns and members of the public.  An acute sense of professionalism.  An awareness of and sensitivity to different cultural practices.  An ability to think quickly on one’s feet and to pick up and complete tasks and duties quickly and accurately.  Familiarity with MS Office computer software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY At the time of applying applicants MUST fulfil the following criteria:  Be enrolled in 300 level LAW papers at the School of Law, University of Canterbury and be in their penultimate or final year of the LLB degree.  Have no known impediment to securing a United States Visa (for example, no arrest or conviction for drug offending or other serious criminal activity).  Successful applicants are to make themselves available for reasonable publicity engagements before leaving for the United States and upon returning to New Zealand.  If in their final year of study, either be returning to New Zealand to live upon completing the internship or be prepared to return to New Zealand to complete the requirements of LAWS373 Washington Internship.  New Zealand citizenship.