The Ocean Panana Programme 2026

Three weeks inside a design agency.‍

Panana is a full-time, three-week programme that helps graduating design students prepare for their first job in the industry.

Six graduates will join us at Ocean to see how a brand agency works. You’ll tackle a realistic brief with our creative team and learn about presenting work, WIP meetings, timesheets and the other things design school doesn’t always cover. So no live client work. And no coffee runs. Promise.

He aha te Panana?
What is Panana?‍

Starting your first design job can be a big adjustment. Panana helps make it less of a mystery.

We started the programme six years ago to give new designers some practical experience before they enter the workforce.

For three weeks, you’ll work through a brand project from brief to presentation. A client will brief the work and our designers will guide the work, share feedback and show you how ideas develop in a studio. The brief is realistic, but the work is not for a live client.

Ka pēhea te mahi?
How does it work?‍

You’ll work both independently and with the wider Ocean team. Some days will be in our Te Whanganui-a-Tara studio and others will be from home.

Alongside the project work, you’ll take part in the everyday business of an agency. That includes briefings, design critiques, WIP meetings and timesheets.

You’ll get honest advice, practical experience and a clearer idea of what to expect from your first design role.

There’s also free kai on Thursdays.

Ngā kōrero matua
The details

Dates
16 November to 4 December 2026‍

Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm‍

Where
Ocean’s Te Whanganui-a-Tara studio and working from home‍

Places
Six

Panana runs like a job, so you’ll need to attend every day.

He pātai?
Got questions?

Is Panana paid?‍

No. Panana is an unpaid programme.

You won’t work on live client projects, and Ocean won’t make money from your mahi.

We created Panana to support new designers and give something back to our industry. This reflects our commitment as a certified B Corporation to consider the effect our business has on our people and community.

Will I get a job at Ocean?
Panana is not a recruitment programme, so there is no job offer at the end.
It will give you experience to talk about, a better understanding of agency work and useful feedback from practising designers.

Many Panana graduates have since found design jobs with agencies and organisations around the motu.‍

Who is it for?
Panana is for design students who are graduating in 2026 and plan to enter the workforce.

If you’re returning to study in 2027, you won’t be eligible for this intake.

Me tono
How to apply

Email us with:

• Your name and degree
• A little about yourself
• What you hope to do as a designer
• Your portfolio or some examples of your mahi

Send your application to enquiries@oceandesign.co.nz.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 30 October 2026.
Sound like you? Make like a banana split and apply.

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