Participate in important conservation work in beautiful New Zealand! Make new friends from around the world while learning about an amazing country and helping out practically with environmental conservation.
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Christchurch International Airport (CHC). Volunteers are encouraged arrive on Sunday for Monday's early start. Sunday night accommodations are not included in program price. It is recommended for volunteers to book these accommodations in Christchurch.
Day 1, Monday: Meet the local team in Christchurch, just outside the Canterbury Museum. You'll begin your journey to the West Coast via the stunning Arthur's Pass alpine highway, hiking to the beautiful Devils Punchbowl Waterfall inside Arthur's Pass National Park along the way. After descending to the temperate rainforests of the West Coast, you'll drive the stunning coastal road to Punakaiki, where you will then settle in to your cabin, receive a program introduction and explore the limestone formations of the Pancake Rocks. In the evening volunteers will view the Westland Petrels returning to their breeding colony from the Tasman Sea (April-October only).
Days 2-3, Tuesday and Wednesday: Volunteers will help to restore native forest habitat for the Westland Petrel in Te Ara Tāiko Nature Reserve. Volunteer tasks vary by season but can include tree planting, weed control, seed collection, track maintenance and helping propagate plants in the onsite-nursery that grows all the trees for the project. . Back at the cabins, enjoy the fantastic location close to the ocean and surrounded by rainforest and stunning views of Paparoa National Park. Sunsets, star-gazing and relaxing with your fellow volunteers are typical of our evenings after a busy day of volunteering outdoors.
Day 4, Thursday: Morning conservation activities continue at Te Ara Tāiko Nature Reserve. After lunch you will explore the stunning wilderness of Paparoa National Park including the Truman Track, featuring temperate rainforest, amazing rock formations and impressive coastal views. The last part of the day involves a short trip north to Westport and Tauranga Bay to visit the local fur seal colony – an awesome wildlife experience not to be forgotten!
Day 5, Friday: Conservation activities will continue during the morning at the Te Ara Taiko Nature Reserve. After lunch, volunteers will pack up and depart the West Coast for Christchurch via the stunning Arthur's Pass, returning to the designated drop-off point outside the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch around 5:00 PM.
Remaining Weeks: For volunteers staying longer than five days, the schedule remains the same, except weekends will be spent in Christchurch.
New Zealand offers a peaceful atmosphere, and a wide array of wildlife unique to the region. The project takes place in Punakaiki, which lies on the West Coast of South Island.
The projects offer volunteers the opportunity to contribute in a practical way to the conservation of the environment. Specific tasks vary by season.
In order to facilitate the best and most varied experience, we encourage volunteers to commit to at least three weeks of volunteering.
Working hours and days: Volunteers generally spend one or two weeks at the project site. Project hours are generally from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Be prepared for the weather - different parts of the country can be very hot or cold, so you'll need appropriate clothing (and sleeping bag) for the climate in the area you've chosen to visit.
Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in shared cabins at a beach camp with bunk beds, communal bathrooms and a shared kitchen area. The cabins are just 700 meters away from the famous Pancake Rocks. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bag and bath towel.
Travel around New Zealand before or after your project and enjoy the impressive views and see the unique wildlife. The large cities in New Zealand offer various cuisines, nightlife, and cultural experiences.
I would highly recommend this trip to anyone that loves the environment and traveling, and wants to make a difference! read more close.
I spent five weeks in Punakaiki, at the New Zealand Conservation Experience project both as my first experience outside of the United States and as my internship. It was kind of nerve-racking at first because of being somewhere totally new and not knowing exactly what to expect, but in the end, it was totally worth it! read more close.
Every other week we worked on restoring the coast of Punakaiki, and the weeks in between we traveled to different locations close by. As we drove we had remarkable views of luscious trees, mountains, and the ocean. I wish I never had to look away. The work itself consisted of a combination of weeding, planting trees, clearing paths, planting flax, potting, and setting up traps depending on the site. The work was sometimes very repetitive and coul... read more close.