Graduate Programme (Feb 2026)

About Us | Mo tātou

WM New Zealand is Aotearoa’s leading materials recovery, recycling, and waste management provider, with over 1600 team members across 70 locations. Each year, we collect over 1,000,000 tonnes of waste and recycle well over 200,000 tonnes. We are the largest composter in New Zealand, the largest waste-to-energy provider, and have the largest commercial electric fleet in New Zealand, all powered by electricity from waste. As a team, we are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to redirect, neutralise and use waste.

Job Description

Are you graduating in 2025 or are you currently in your early professional career? Ready to contribute to a circular economy?

WM New Zealand offers a two-year graduate programme as an exciting opportunity for recent graduates who are passionate about making a positive impact. We are looking for motivated and curious graduates to join us.

Applications are now open for our 2026 Graduate programme, starting in early 2026. We have graduate positions in our three major locations, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Pōneke (Wellington), and Ōtautahi (Christchurch). 

WM New Zealand is the leading resource recovery, recycling, and waste management provider in the country. We are committed to being sustainable, putting safety first, and innovating waste and recovery solutions that are low carbon. 

If you join us as a graduate, we will nurture your career through our mentorship programme and leadership training. We’ll help you expand your professional network and offer hands-on experience to build your skillset and advance your career. Learning on the job allows you to develop your practical and technical skills, alongside your knowledge. 

What can we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

During the graduate programme, you will have access to various learning opportunities, both face-to-face and virtual. This includes e-learning, collaborating with our experts and senior leaders from different areas of the business, peer networking, leadership development, and action learning projects where you'll work with others.

We are currently looking for students from a range of degrees and backgrounds to join our diverse team all around the country:

• Sustainability
• Finance
• Supply Chain & Logistics
• Operations
• IT Infrastructure
• Digital Engineering
• Engineering (Mechanical/Civil/Chemical/Environmental/Electrical)
• Sales and Marketing
• Legal
• Procurement
• Environmental Science

Find out more about our Graduate Programme by visiting our career pages.

As part of the Graduate Programme, you will:

• Be part of an extensive 2-year programme
• Assist with various project-based work with continuous support across the team
• Develop strong relationships with your mentor as well as your key stakeholders.

Qualifications

What we are looking for:

• A motivated, curious and innovative graduate
• Currently in the final year of your degree programme or you have graduated recently
• Must be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident and Resident

Additional Information

Together | Mahi ngātahi

What is the company culture like?
One boat, same direction. We are proud to have Together as one of our company values, and we work hard to create an environment that allows team members to be themselves. We value everyone’s contribution. Coming to an organisation as a graduate can be daunting, but you will find our team warm and welcoming.

At WM, we strongly believe in diversity and inclusion in all things we do. We encourage you to share any support you need throughout your application process. We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, cultures and gender identities. If you have any questions or would like a confidential discussion, you are welcome to email us via talent@wm.nz.

Your future is Bright, pre-register now and we will let you know once this opportunity opens!