Combine Volunteering and Adventure Travel in New Zealand!

  New Zealand

Auckland,  Hamilton,  Napier,  Nelson,  New Plymouth,  North Shore,  Queenstown,  Rotorua,  Rural Areas,  South Island,  Taupo,  Tauranga,  Timaru,  Wellington,  Whangarei

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Programs depart regularly throughout the year

Description: ISV's New Zealand Program
International Student Volunteers offers you the unique ability to combine meaningful volunteer projects and exciting adventure travel throughout New Zealand. As a volunteer you will be working to protect and rehabilitate some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth. Prepare to travel to unique and remote locations as you and your group of volunteers get your hands dirty in practical hands-on conservation projects. After your project, you will have the adventure of a lifetime on ISV's two-week adventure tour. Get ready for glacier climbing, quad-biking, sea-kayaking and even an underground black water rafting experience through the glow worm caves of Waitomo.

After your ISV experience, why not take on ISV's five-day Fiji holiday excursion on your way home?

About ISV
International Student Volunteers Inc, is a US-based non-profit organization that offers globally minded participants the unique opportunity to combine meaningful volunteer projects and adventure travel. ISV has offices all over the world to look after over 4, 000 participants who volunteer with us every year. ISV volunteers come from all countries and you don't have to be a student to participate. ISV offers programs in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Eastern Europe, South Africa and Ecuador. Because of ISV's strong educational focus, many university students apply to receive academic credit for their involvement in the program.

About New Zealand:
New Zealand is known as the adventure capital of the world. Think extreme sports, The Lord of the Rings, the passion of indigenous Maori culture, and some of the most spectacular and diverse countryside in the world. Lying along the Pacific Ring of Fire where two continental plates collide, you will learn about and experience geothermal pools, rugged volcanic mountain ranges, gorgeous beaches, glaciers, as well as the fascinating Maori culture in the land of the long white cloud. The ISV New Zealand experience will leave you inspired and blown away by nature's beauty and diversity.

New Zealand is like no other place on earth. The iconic kiwi bird is a flagship species that exemplifies the plight of New Zealand's rare and threatened bird. Land management practices have threatened their survival and caused a loss of many species and eco-systems. ISV has partnered with a range of New Zealand local organizations that are doing meaningful hands-on projects to conserve and rehabilitate the precious regions where kiwi remain.

Volunteer Projects
You have the chance to make a difference through volunteering on ISV's conservation projects which are located in some of New Zealand's most beautiful regions. Projects focus on habitat restoration, and some involve meaningful interaction with indigenous Maori communities. ISV has projects spread across the country. By volunteering with ISV in New Zealand you will interact with the friendly and outgoing locals and contribute to the much needed conservation efforts throughout New Zealand's many and varied habitats.

Projects include:

Habitat Restoration: Restore breathtaking New Zealand landscapes!
Get your hands dirty and see the results of your efforts by helping to restore the natural environment. By volunteering in ISV's habitat restoration projects throughout New Zealand you will help rehabilitate ecosystems which form critical habitat for many of the nations rare and endangered species.

Restoration of Island Sanctuaries: Recreate safe havens for endangered species!
Many of New Zealand's islands have suffered the adverse effects of farming and human interaction. ISV has incredible projects where you will help transform a previously farmed island into an authentic natural environment of native forests, wetlands, beaches and open spaces.

Government Environmental Assistance: Help the experts conserve the environment!
On these projects you will be volunteering beside regional, national and government organizations that are responsible for looking after New Zealand's stunning environment. Tasks include managing reserves, constructing walkways, maintaining tracks and huts, and restoring limestone caves and the ecology.

Environmental Education: Educate and inspire others to live sustainably!   
Get involved on a local level and help teach others about conservation and sustainability. In addition to tasks like forest restoration, removing invasive weeds, light construction projects and nature trail building, you will have the opportunity to pass on your knowledge to local school kids and work with people with disabilities.

Adventure Tour
You will travel throughout New Zealand's North and South Islands, exploring the Southern Alps, glaciers, primary forests, wild rivers, limestone caves, geothermal areas, national parks, and the nation's capital city, Wellington. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

* Black water rafting in glow worm caves
* Exploring the thermal wonders of Rotorua
* Visiting the cultural attractions of Wellington (New Zealand's capital)
* Hiking on the Franz Josef Glacier
* White water rafting rapids on the Kaituna River
* Zorbing
* Experiencing the true Kiwi (New Zealand) night life in Wellington and Queenstown (the adrenaline capital of the world)

Highlights: Key achievement from last year:
Planted almost 30, 000 native trees!

Optional Excursion: After your stay in New Zealand, you'll have the opportunity to spend five days on the beautiful tropical islands of Fiji! You will have the chance to relax and unwind after your amazing adventure as you snorkel, scuba and sail around this island paradise. Details about this trip will be sent to you by ISV once you are confirmed on the ISV New Zealand Program.

Why Travel with ISV?
* Combine meaningful volunteer projects with exciting adventure travel
* ISV has support offices in every program country we operate in
* Trained staff to guide your project and tour
* Group travel you will make friends from across the globe and not be alone
* Educational learn a lot and possibly receive academic credit (if applicable)
* ISV is not a sending agent we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible.

Qualifications: No qualifications are necessary; ISV will give you all the training you need. To maximize your experience it is preferable you can speak English fluently. You do not need to speak the language of your host country, as you will have bi-lingual project and tour leaders to guide your experience. Minimum age is 18 years old by the time of departure. This program is open to everyone, not just students.

Cost in US$: Program prices vary. Please visit our website.

The program cost also goes towards the equipment or building materials needed for your projects, your in-country support, your adventure activities, your amazing trained project and tour leaders, AND towards the ongoing sustainability and training of each project. We give you and our projects the support and structure many other volunteer organizations cannot, as we have an office in each country to look after your entire experience and develop lasting relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Cost does not include: passport costs, insurance, international flights, in-country domestic flights (if required), vaccinations, spending money, extra activities on tour (available through Optional Activity Package).

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Despite our name, any person may volunteer with ISV as long as they are over 18 years old. The majority of our participants are 18 to 30 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference. You do not need any special skills to volunteer with ISV. We just ask that you are willing to give back to your host country; you are willing to learn as much as you can about the people, environment and issues facing your host country, and are ready to make the best friends along your adventure of a lifetime.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement: To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded: 1981