Kia Orana, my name is Poe Tiare Ruhe- Tararo, I am 19 years of age and am a University student currently undergoing my second year of studies. I am Cook Islands Maori through my mother and come from the beautiful island of Mauke. I am also New Zealand Maori through my father and have links to the Ngapuhi tribe. I was born in Wellington and raised in the town of Porirua from infancy to the age of 8, at which time I left New Zealand with my mother to my new home Rarotonga.
I am currently studying at Victoria University of Wellington and am doing a double major in theatre and film with a minor in music and am studying towards a Bachelor of Arts.
While on my 2019 summer break I came back to Rarotonga and took up an internship position at the Office of the Public Service Commissioner. My role as an intern here at OPSC is to provide administrative support for the Human Resources division. While I’ve been here, I’ve worked on any minor jobs such as updating the Head of Ministries travel diaries and assisting in the consolidation of the remuneration process (Reading over job descriptions and assisting in job evaluations) when needed. Everything that I learnt while at the Ministry was enjoyable in their own ways but, the one thing that stuck out for me was learning the whole Remuneration process.
If there were any changes, I’d make for future Internships programs, it would be having internships prepared for University students over the summer break. By doing this it’ll give University students an opportunity to experience the dynamics of a Government work environment and provide students with financial support throughout the summer break period. By giving students the opportunity to be an intern will encourage them to come back home for work as opposed to staying in New Zealand to find a job.