Conservation Projects Combined with Maori Culture or English Language Course

  New Zealand

Wellington

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks

Description: Nga Uruora - Kapiti Project Charitable Trust - is a community based conservation project with a big work program and an even bigger vision. Set up in 1997 to reverse the drastic decline of coastal forest, we're aiming to create a continuous ribbon of bird-safe native forest running from Porirua through to Waikanae.

Nga Uruora taps into the phenomenal success of pest control on Kapiti and Mana Island, not only for inspiration, but to supply the Kapiti - Porirua Coast with an unequalled supply of tui, bellbirds kereru and rare kaka and kakariki. Nga Uruora's programme of restoring and recreating bird-safe forest on the mainland means we're well on our way to having the best dawn chorus in urban NZ.

Duties:
Duties will be flexible depending on the weather conditions but will most likely include some of the following:
Weeding, seed collection, planting, nursery work, trapping and sighting animal/bird life.

You will stay with a host family in the local township and be able to visit nearby attractions in your time off. Wellington is a train ride away and day trips are possible.

Highlights: Before you begin your volunteer project, you may take part in The Maori culture course, which is run by our Maori tutor - an expert in weaponry and an award winning kapa haka (dance and music) member. He is also next in line to be chief of one of the largest tribes in NZ. The course is practical rather than academic with an emphasis on "doing." Tane, the tutor, will teach you the haka made famous by the All Blacks rugby team and simple weaponry. You will also get a vivid background look into the traditional way of life for the Maori, their traditional tales and myths, learn to introduce yourself, make and use poi, sing a song, weave something from flax and so much more. The course finishes with a trip to a local Marae (Maori meeting house) where you will stay overnight and the chance to lay a hangi (traditional underground oven) and cook dinner the "old" way. You will be presented with a certificate at the Marae showing that you have completed the course. The Maori believe that the best way to learn is to have something all around you if you are up for a challenge and to try something new then this is the course for you!

Qualifications: This program is open to both native English speakers and non native English speakers but an intermediate level of English is required by the beginning of the conservation project.

Volunteers should be at least 18 years of age (US participants must be 19)and physically fit. There are only a limited number of spaces for smokers as most projects are smoke free areas due to the fire risk in the bush.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-60

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Volunteers for International Partnership's Mission Statement: Volunteers for International Partnership offers each international volunteer an opportunity to learn a culture from the inside while doing valuable community service, peer to peer, in a stimulating new environment. VIP is committed to: *Careful selection and preparation of the volunteer, host family and Host Organization. *Emphasis on the education and self-awareness gained through international community service and volunteering. *Planning the volunteer's intercultural experience to highlight enrichment from cultural differences. *Full immersion in the host culture through orientation, language training, worksite and housing selection. *Individualization of volunteer placement design to take full advantage of volunteer differences in skill, age, experience and diversity. *Effective evaluation of the experience and the Host Organization. *Strong efforts to enhance the volunteer's social adjustment to regional habits and customs. *Choosing volunteer service projects that are worthwhile, safe, meet the needs of the local community and are conducted responsibly with regard to environmental, social and local issues.