Queenstown Businesses Get Behind Brimming Tech Talent In Our High Schools

What was meant to be three summer tech internships became seven placements across three local iconic Queenstown businesses, showing the incredible tech talent potential in New Zealand's high schools.

The inaugural Summer Technology Interns programme has been brought together by Technology Queenstown, the not-for-profit agency tasked with building a robust technology ecosystem for the Queenstown Lakes District.

It was great to launch the tech intern programme this year and we are hugely grateful for the support of the three local businesses that got in behind it - Skyline Enterprises, RealNZ and AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand, says TQ CEO Sarah Russell.

"We couldn't have asked for a better outcome with the incredibly impressive calibre of the applicants and the enthusiasm of Skyline, RealNZ and AJ Hackett Bungy to back this talent leading to not only three but seven placements over this coming summer,"

"It shows we have the tech talent in our high schools and the demand in our businesses for the tech skills these students can bring."

The programme was open to Year 12 and Year 13 students from high schools across the Queenstown Lakes District, Cromwell, and Alexandra. The programme oTers successful applicants a four week paid internship over December 2025 and January 2026 with the aim of providing a hands-on introduction to working in a real-world tech environment.

"As one of Queenstown's largest employers, RealNZ is proud to support the next generation of tech talent. We were truly blown away by the quality of all the applicants. Our intern will be immersed in our Technology team, whose extensive work enables our business to create and deliver fantastic experiences in some of Aotearoa's most stunning and remote locations", says RealNZ's General Manager Technology Rob Huddart.

Skyline are thrilled to welcome the Summer Technology Interns and we are looking forward to giving them hands-on experience in our technology team, says Chief Executive OTicer GeoT McDonald.

"We see this programme as an investment in our future workforce, helping young people explore meaningful careers and supporting a strong, sustainable pipeline of tech talent in the region.”

"We thought the calibre of applicants was outstanding — their curiosity, initiative, and technical skills impressed us, and many showed strong problem-solving ability, creativity, and a genuine passion for learning,” adds Skyline's General Manager Mike ZeT.

"We look forward to incorporating the fresh perspectives and energy the interns will bring to Skyline, and it’s incredibly rewarding to help them take their first steps toward shaping a future career in technology."

AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand's Chief Information OTicer Dan Waugh adds "we were blown away by the talent and the quality of their applications. Their knowledge of tech and enthusiasm to explore tech careers bodes well for the future of Queenstown. We're excited to work with the interns over the coming summer and hope to see them in tech roles in the future."

The successful applicants were Ollie Blakey from Liger Leadership Academy, and Wakatipu High School students Alice Davis, Alisha Messingham, Liam Tietjens, Oscar Childs, Makam Adams, and Sammy Sison.

"It is great to see tech talent is brimming in our high schools and businesses are embracing this, adds TQ CEO Sarah Russell,

"I would like to extend a warm congratulations to the seven successful students and also acknowledge all applicants, the quality of all applications we received was extremely high, which made for a difficult selection process."

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