New Zealand Summer Program

Conservation volunteering, cultural immersion and adventure travel through the North and South Islands of New Zealand

A month immersion in New Zealand's incredible environments and unique culture. This program combines two weeks of rewarding volunteer conservation work in national parks and two weeks of insight, exploration and adventure travel through the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Try mountain biking, rafting, canoing, climbing; immerse yourself in the spectacular landscapes and wide open spaces. There's also time to explore vibrant Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown. Throughout your time in New Zealand you'll learn an enormous amount about New Zealand's environmental and ecological history and how that unique history has shaped New Zealand's flora, fauna and people.

This summer abroad program is suitable for high school graduates, gap year students, university students and graduates, ideally 18 – 23 years.

New Zealand has enjoyed 100 million years of isolation since it separated from the southern super continent Gondwana, sinking into and rising again from the ocean. This sinking, rising and isolation from other landmasses (Australia is 1300 miles away), protected unusual eco-systems where birds filled all the major niches usually taken by mammals. These eco-systems were radically compromised by colonization and the introduction of new animal species - first from the indigenous Maori some 800 years ago and more recently by European settlers. On this program you will get a hands-on introduction to strategies initiated to protect and care for these eco-systems and the plants and wildlife they contain.

New Zealand Summer Program Highlights

• Two weeks of rewarding volunteer conservation projects in National Parks and wildlife reserves, partnering with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation:
  Week One: Based from Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands Historic and Maritime Park
  Week Two: Various work sites in the Nelson region which is home to 3 National Parks, 1 Forest Park, 1 Maritime Park and numerous reserve areas
• Adventure caving trip in Waitomo’s limestone caves (no experience needed)
• Enjoying culture and nightlife in the friendly cities of Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown
• Rock climbing at Castle Rock (no experience needed)
• Hiking at Mangatautiri
• Exciting white water rafting trip on the Kaituna River
• Soaking in natural hot springs
• Wellington daytrip – New Zealand’s vibrant capital – Parliament tour, NZ’s National Museum, beaches and cafes
• Mountain biking in Nelson (no experience needed)
• Traveling down the West Coast of the South Island – voted as one of the top-ten road trips in the world – stopping overnight at Punakaiki and Franz Josef Glacier with the choice of a glacier hike or an eco-canoe trip on Okaritio lagoon
• Queenstown – the worlds adventure capital and the birthplace of Bungy
• Series of informal lectures from local conservation experts
• Very personalized small group experience (compare with other programs of up to 40 students)
• Fantastic New Zealand program leader/s

"Traveling with Pacific Discovery has been one of the most personally rewarding things I have ever done. The program's small group sizes and focus on responsible travel allows you to interact with a country's local culture, customs, and environment on a much deeper level. I had the time of my life on the trip!” M Lowrey, participant 2007

Academic credit available on the New Zealand Summer Program

Click on the link below to view course and registration information for optional transferable credit available on this program.

Seattle Central Community College
Credit is available through the Seattle Central Community College Office of Cooperative Education and Service Learning. Whether you are from the US, Canada, or elsewhere, you are able to undertake this optional independent-study credit while on a Pacific Discovery program. Courses can be taken for 5 or 10 quarter credits and a maximum of 20 credits can be taken per quarter. This credit is a particularly good option for gap-year students and students wanting an economical credit option.

New Zealand Summer Program Itinerary

Conservation volunteering, cultural immersion and adventure travel through the North and South Islands of New Zealand

Day 1. Arrive Auckland, New Zealand. If on the group flight you will rendezvous in Los Angeles before embarking on an overnight flight to New Zealand (only 12 hours, but day lost enroute due to time zone). Arrive in Auckland, City of Sails…bright light and fresh air await you. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, sprawling across an incredible landscape of harbors and the eroded cones of extinct volcanoes. Warm welcome and program briefing.

Day 3-8. Bay of Islands Volunteer Project. We make our way north to the stunning Bay of Islands. The first conservation project will be based from beautiful Urupukapuka Island, accessed by launch. The Bay of Islands has an abundance of marine life, including whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species. This maritime and historic park was home to numerous Maori settlements and the first European settlement in New Zealand. Urupukapuka Island is managed by the Department of Conservation and contains a number of archeological sites. Dolphins are regularly seen in the waters around the island. Monday to Friday, we’ll be working approximately 9am – 4pm, in the field. While on the island we stay in a simple lodge and will be cooking all meals together. On Friday afternoon we’ll return to Auckland.

Day 9-11. Waitomo and Castle Rock. Home to great hiking, caving and rock climbing…and you’ll have the chance to try them all – no experience needed! We’ll do an adventurous Indiana Jones style caving trip with a 200 ft rappel, hike through the Maungatautari Ecological Island, an exciting conservation initiative, and spend a day climbing around the volcanic buttresses of Castle Rock. After each day of action you’ll enjoy soaking in a hot tub under the starry southern skies.

Day 12-14. Taupo to Wellington. Heading south, we stop for night in the lakeside resort town of Taupo, then continue on for a weekend in Wellington. On the way you’ll get to soak in natural hot springs and raft the waterfalls on the Kaituna River. Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, is vibrant - great cafés and nightlife. We’ll visit Parliament to learn about New Zealand’s political system (more interesting than it sounds), and gain insight into Maori culture through an intimate Maori educational experience at the National Museum, before giving you free time to explore independently.

Day 15-16. To the South Island and Nelson. We board a ferry bound for the South Island. After crossing the fearsome Cook Strait, we cruise through the twisting arms of the glacial carved Marlborough Sounds, and leap ashore in Picton. A short drive through Marlborough’s vineyards brings us to sunny Nelson, our base for project two.  Enjoy a mountain bike ride on exciting scenic trails behind Nelson or head into the Abel Tasman National Park and its gorgeous golden sand beaches for a day hike.

Day 17-23. Top of the South Volunteer Project. The Nelson region is home to three national parks, a large maritime park, a state forest park, and a newly established wildlife reserve…so the perfect place to base ourselves for our second week of volunteer conservation work. Monday to Friday, we’ll be working approximately 9am – 4pm, in the field. On Friday afternoon we’ll drive to Punakaiki to begin our journey down the wild West Coast.

Day 24-25. West Coast Road Trip. Voted one of the top ten road trips in the world, we travel the length of the South Island’s West coast from Nelson to Queenstown. Enjoy rugged coastlines, beautiful rainforest and spectacular glaciers. We spend a night at Punakaiki, in a beach front hostel where the ocean’s roar will lull you to sleep. Two nights at Franz Joseph gives us a day to hike on the glacier, or spot rare white heron while canoeing on Lake Okarito. Options on offer include an introduction to ice climbing or heli-hiking on the glacier.

Day 26-27. Queenstown is the world’s adventure capital. The options are endless - go skiing or snowboarding at any of Queenstown’s three ski fields, try bungy jumping or any of the multitude of adventure activities on offer. Afterwards enjoy the après ski celebratory atmosphere. On our final evening we’ll take a gondola skyward to dine in a restaurant overlooking Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.

Day 28. Program concludes. Depart Queenstown via Auckland to Los Angeles or alternative destinations if not on the group flight.

New Zealand Summer Program Notes

Conservation volunteering, cultural immersion and adventure travel through the North and South Islands of New Zealand

Suitability

Open to students, graduates and non-students, ideally 18-25 years. This program is suitable for anyone of average fitness with an enthusiasm for conservation and new experiences. You need to be committed to, and prepared for, some physical work whilst on the volunteer component of the program i.e. trail building or the removal of invasive plants.

Accommodation

Our accommodation will be comfortable and clean hostels and lodges. Laundry, postal, telephone and email facilities will be available most days, except while in the field onthe volunteer projects.

Meals

Food is a highlight when traveling. Special dietary requirements and vegetarians are catered for. Two thirds of meals are included in the program cost. The remaining meals are not included to allow us a choice of when, where and what we eat. For the meals not included, you will have the option of dining out, or self-catering with others in the group.

Transport

For most travel we will use our own private vans with trailers.

Program fee

Program cost is $3,950 USD (change currency).

Program fee inclusions

Visa; All in-country travel and transport; All accommodation; Most meals; 2 weeks of volunteer conservation projects; Lectures from resident experts on conservation and eco-tourism; All excursions and activities as described in the itinerary (unless noted as optional); Experienced New Zealand program leader/s; Online image library for your program. Refer information booklet for international flight options.

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