New Zealand Volunteering

In New Zealand, travelers looking to do their part will find an enormous range of available projects, from kaori forest preservation, to endangered wildlife rescue, to community-based projects in underserved areas. Keep in mind, however, that most volunteer organizations require a minimum time commitment ranging from one week to three months. Read below for general volunteering suggestions as well as specific organization listings.

Depth of involvement varies depending on the individual program and your interest level; be sure to acquire the appropriate visa for your plans before committing to an organization (see Visa Information for Extended Stays). Don’t sign up for the first volunteer program you come across; research a wide variety of opportunities and weigh your options. Also keep in mind that volunteer work, particularly with wildlife or in environmental rehabilitation and protection, is not as glamorous as it might seem. Plan on a of repetitive, strenuous labor rather than days full of swimming with dolphins, comforting baby penguins, and swinging around the rainforest canopy. Cleaning and maintenance work comprise a significant part of many volunteer positions.

Why Pay Money To Volunteer? Many volunteers are surprised to learn that some organizations require large fees or “donations.” While this may seem ridiculous at first glance, such fees often keep the organization afloat, in addition to covering airfare, room, board, and administrative expenses for the volunteers. (Other organizations must rely on private donations and government subsidies.) If you’re concerned about how a program spends its fees, request an annual report or finance account. A reputable organization won’t refuse to inform you of how volunteer money is spent.
Pay-to-volunteer programs might be a good idea for young travelers who are looking for more support and structure (such as pre-arranged transportation and housing), or anyone who would rather not deal with the uncertainty implicit in creating a volunteer experience from scratch.

Those looking for longer, more intensive volunteer opportunities usually choose to go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and often provides a group environment and support system—for a fee. Some of these parent organizations provide comprehensive programs that arrange transportation, accommodation, food, cultural experiences, and even sightseeing for their volunteers. Travelers who bypass such programs, choosing instead to organize their own experiences, should plan to arrange accommodation, board, transportation, insurance, and other logistics themselves. This kind of independent experience is best suited to individuals not bothered by uncertainty and who don’t mind investing extra time in preparation.

The best way to find opportunities that match your interests is to check local or national volunteer centers before departing. Government websites often list volunteer opportunities. National park services in particular are almost always in need of volunteers for wildlife preservation projects. Although these positions are usually geared toward locals, they are often open to travelers willing to make a minimum time commitment. New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) is in nearly every town, and their website (www.doc.govt.nz) is a great resource for learning about ecological issues facing the country and opportunities to address them. For more information on volunteering abroad, check out How to Live your Dream of Volunteering Overseas, Penguin Books, by Joseph Collins et al.

Conservation

A relatively isolated island nation, New Zealand is famed for its delicate, diverse ecology. These same natural resources are often exploited to provide jobs and a better standard of living for the country’s ...more

Agricultural Programs

In a land where sheep outnumber the people that raise them, New Zealand’s agricultural industry is always looking for helpers. These programs offer volunteers an exchange of labor for room and board ...more

Community-Based Initiatives

Although New Zealand is one of the most developed and integrated countries in the world, not all communities have benefited equally from recent economic upturn. The programs below allow travelers to ...more