Triathlete gains behind-the-scenes perspective through PM’s Scholarship internship

Completing her internship with Mighty River Domain Lake Karapiro, Ainsley quickly transitioned from athlete to event professional. With a degree in event management and a strong interest in logistics, she was well placed to make the most of the opportunity however the reality of the role came quickly.

Starting in January, her first week coincided with the National Waka Ama Championships, with thousands of people arriving each day.

“I had to learn systems quickly and work with huge volumes of people coming through,” says Ainsley. “You had to come up with solutions on the spot and keep people happy, even when things didn’t go to plan.”

Across the summer, Ainsley supported a wide variety of events, from canoe racing and rowing regattas through to dog shows, weddings and community events. The experience provided a realistic view of the industry, including both its variety and its pace.

Partway through the internship, Ainsley sustained an injury that impacted her training.

While challenging, she says the internship became a valuable outlet. “It was actually a good distraction. I was able to work a bit more than I thought I was going to, and it worked out really well,” she reflects.

For employer Liz Stolwyk Mighty River Power Domain Lake Karapiro site manager, the timing of the internship was equally significant.

“Ainsley came on board and it was a bit like straight into the hot fire,” Liz says.

“She was able to assist me in what was a really critical time when the extra hands to help with checking in hundreds and hundreds of people into our accommodation facilities were invaluable.”

Liz says Ainsley’s background as a high performance athlete brought an immediate advantage.

“They bring a different perspective. They already understand the event space and step into the role really quickly and confidently,” she says.

The experience also reinforced the importance of flexibility particularly when supporting athletes balancing training and recovery. “We’ll work around you… this is your dream,” Liz says. “We were able to make that work successfully.”

For Ainsley, that flexibility was key, allowing her to adjust her workload as training demands shifted, while still gaining meaningful, hands-on experience.

Beyond the technical skills, the internship offered wider benefits such as building confidence, expanding networks and providing perspective on life beyond sport. It also highlighted the realities of the industry.

“It’s not a typical 9-to-5 job,” Ainsley says. “But you’re out there doing things, being part of it and that’s something I really enjoyed.”