New Zealand 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 interact with those communities and assist in the development of economic and social opportunities.

Community Net Aotearoa (www.community.net.nz). Lists information on different community programs as well as information on how to volunteer.
Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, 11 Marewa Rd., Auckland 1051 (☎09 529 4111; www.habitat.org). Long- or short-term volunteers help to build low-income housing. Programs start at US$1300, not including airfare.
Institute for Cultural Ecology, P.O. Box 991, Hilo, HI 96721, USA (☎808-557-1743; www.cultural-ecology.com). Offers programs in schools in Wellington and South Island. Projects include fighting drug abuse and working with inner-city students. Volunteer programs run 4-12 weeks and cost US$1895-3850, not including airfare.
International Cultural Youth Exchange, (www.icye.org). A database of cultural programs in New Zealand, including teaching healthy lifestyles to youth and working with the elderly. Long- and short-term programs available.
Volunteering Canterbury, Christchurch Community House, 141 Hereford St., Christchurch 8141 (☎03 366 2442; www.cvc.org.nz). Lists and arranges volunteer opportunities in Canterbury.
Volunteering New Zealand (www.volunteeringnz.org.nz). A database of different volunteer opportunities around the country.

More Volunteering in New Zealand

By clicking submit you agree to the terms of the Let’s Go Privacy Policy

For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.