Volunteering Projects in New Zealand

Upon arriving at the volunteer house, you can expect to be introduced to the other volunteers and shown around the house and facilities. On your first work day after arriving, you will join with the other new volunteers for an orientation in the office. This orientation will cover such topics as:

• Conservation and ecological issues facing New Zealand
• Aims and history of the program
• Health & safety information
• Schedule
• Sources of information to help you make the most of your time here  

Please note: Your first work day may be up to several days after arriving at the volunteer house. For example, if you arrive on a Friday afternoon, your first work day will be on the following Monday.

New Zealand is a country of unparalleled beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep clear lakes, bubbling mud, and lots of sheep. There are also abundant forest parks, deserted beaches, and a variety of unique fauna; some, like the kiwi bird, vulnerable to extinction. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural - the honesty and friendliness of Kiwi people will impress you. What is truly unique about New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other!
For more information I suggest you purchase the Lonely Planet’s guide to New Zealand. 

• Revegetation and planting several native ecosystems (e.g. forests, wetlands, and dunes)
• Controlling introduced predators for the protection of native wildlife
• Surveying New Zealand fur seal populations at a lower North Island rookery
• Removing invasive plants from several native ecosystems (e.g. forests, wetlands, dunes)
• Stream quality monitoring as part of a regional stream health project (quarterly)
• Educational field trips (e.g. Kapiti Island/Matiu-Somes Island, key offshore sanctuaries for New Zealand wildlife; weather permitting)
• Trail construction and park maintenance within wildlife reserves
• Coastal cleanups as part of an ongoing effort to protect Wellington's marine wildlife (e.g. little blue penguins, NZ fur seals)
• Visits to Moehau, on the Coromandel Peninsula (quarterly), with activities including Kiwi bird protection, habitat protection and restoration, and scientific monitoring of wildlife and of predator control progress.

The program typically runs Monday – Friday with weekends free. Volunteers are collected together from the volunteer house by the team leader anywhere between 8am and 10am, depending on the project that day. It is usually around 8:30am each morning. You will then travel to the project in the volunteer van. There are a variety of projects located all around the Wellington region and as such the traveling time will vary each day, though most projects are within an hour from the volunteer house. Each day there are breaks for lunch, morning and afternoon tea (a New Zealand tradition!). Volunteers are back at the volunteer house between 3pm and 6pm, depending on the project, but most days we aim to return by 5pm. Those days we are back earlier will provide you with an opportunity for local sightseeing, shopping or relaxing.

The volunteer house is located near Wellington (a 20 minute drive from the City Centre) and the projects are based largely in the Greater Wellington region. However, several projects also provide the opportunity to work in other regions of the North Island.

You will be staying with other volunteers in our volunteer house. The house is modern and has most amenities people will be used to (TV & DVD player, phone, computer with wireless internet access, clothes washing facilities, dishwasher, barbecue, vegetable garden, etc). The volunteer house is set up with a co-op mindset - everyone participates in the cooking and cleaning according to a weekly roster. You will share a room with one or two other volunteers (linen is provided). You will be paired up with another volunteer with whom you will cook dinner for the whole house once a week. The two of you can decide to cook anything you like!

You will need to be in Wellington a day before your start date (i.e. arrive on the 14th or the last day of the month). This is to allow time for your to settle in to the volunteer house and get to know the other volunteers before your orientation the next work day. Typically, volunteers will be greeted at Wellington airport on their arrival. We are also happy to work with your specific arrival requirements if you plan to travel within New Zealand before your volunteer experience.

Please note: Your first work day may be up to several days after arriving at the volunteer house. For example, if you arrive on a Friday afternoon, your first work day will be on the following Monday.

Although you are traveling in a developed country and there are no legally required vaccinations, we do recommend Hepatitis A and B as well as tetanus.

The program will expose you to some of the most dramatic scenery in the Wellington region and beyond. The work we undertake is typically Monday to Friday, leaving the weekends free for you to explore other parts of New Zealand. For more extensive travel we recommend you allow time at either the beginning or end of your volunteer experience.

The program fee covers accommodation, meals and transport costs while volunteering. If you arrive early or intend to stay beyond your volunteer time in New Zealand then you will need to have additional money for this time. Other expenses not covered by your program fee include: your flights, entry visa (if applicable), travel insurance, departure tax (if applicable), and any personal spending.

To give you an idea of the approximate costs of things in New Zealand, a coffee costs around NZ$4, a restaurant main NZ$15-25, a movie ticket NZ$15, a bus ticket to the city centre NZ$4.50, a visit to the doctor NZ$90, and a bungy jump NZ$120.

There are up to 9 people living in the volunteer house plus a house advisor; volunteers will be from both NZ Nature Program and Heal the Earth programs.

Because of the nature of the accommodation and the activities that the volunteers take part in, it is not appropriate to bring children with you. However, it is fine to volunteer as a couple or with other family members (each person will need to apply individually).

Every application is reviewed to ensure that the minimum requirements are met (as set out on the program page). Next we look to see what skills or experience you have that may be an asset to the team. We are also interested in any previous volunteer experience you may have (either local or international), travel experience, and your particular interest in the program. After reviewing your application, we will email you for further information should it be required.

You will, if you require one. Please note: people from many countries (including North America, UK, Europe) do not need an entry visa if you are staying for 3 months or less. For a list of all countries, see here

As with any overseas travelling, insurance is recommended. The Global Volunteer Network has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as a ’loss of deposits’ cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc. If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/insurance/ 

Your application fee secures your place on the program (remember this is fully transferable to a later date or different program if you decide not to take part in the program, subject to the terms of service). Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer’s expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Eighty percent (80%) of your program fee is refundable until one calendar month before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program. Refer to GVN's legal terms of service for full details.